PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Vuoksen Terminal
Pilot
updated May 2010Pilotage in the Russian water area is carried out by the Russian Pilot Service. Pilotage is required when using the outer channel between Vihrevoi and Brusnitchnoe, and when using the coastal channel also between Vihrevoi and Brusnitchnoe.
Pilotage is compulsory. In navigation from the Gulf of Finland, the pilot must be ordered from the Viipuri Section of Inflot, 12 hours prior to arrival at Vihrevoi where the pilot is to be taken onboard. The order must be checked two hours before the start of the pilotage.
Pilotage on the Saimaa Canal: Pilotage on the section from Lock Brusnitchnoe to the Lock Malkia is carried out by canal pilots subordinated to Finnish State Pilotage Enterprise. All vessels, excluding small Finnish vessels, of more than 25m in length, are required to use a pilot when proceeding through the canal. Upon application, Inland Waterways District may grant to a Master of a vessel, the right to navigate his vessel on the canal without a pilot provided that the Master of the vessel has passed an examination required for the purpose.
In navigation from Lake Saimaa, the pilot must be ordered from the Saimaa VTS centre 6 hours before entrance into the canal. The order must be checked 2 hours prior to pilotage being started.
In navigation from the Gulf of Finland, a canal pilot need not be ordered separately. Similarly, a Russian pilot for the approach channel need not be ordered separately for vessels proceeding from Lake Saimaa.
Key data
updated Jul 2021Size limits
LOA 82.5m, beam 12.6m, draught 4.35m.
Water density
1000.
Load line zone
Summer Zone for ships over 100m in length and Winter Seasonal Area for ships of 100m or less in length, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.
Tides
Nil.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Berths | — | — | 3 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Jul 2021Approach
The most important deep channel goes from the mouth of the Saimaa Canal in Lauritsala via Savonlinna to Haukivesi, there, branching off to the channel leading via Varkaus to Kuopio and Siilinjarvi, and to the channel for Joensuu. The other deep channels are those of Lappeenranta, Imatra, Ristiina and Puhos.
Channels of the main channel level lead, eg from Kuopio to Iisalmi, from Joensuu to Lake Pielinen and from below Puumala to Mikkeli. A channel of the side channel level for instance leads along the Heinavesi chain of lakes from Haukivesi to Kuopio and from this route to Juojarvi.
Protected coastal channel: The canal can also be reached through the coastal channel, starting from the Finnish boundary near the Island of Santio and merging into the sea channel mentioned above at the Island of Vihrevoi. The permissible draught of the channel is 4.35m. The length of the channel from the border to Vihrevoi is 49km and the length from the border to the Brusnitchnoe Lock is 86km. The channel and its refuge harbours are marked on Russian charts 1131 and 1132 (available from Inflot Bureau, Viipuri) and Finnish charts 11 and 12.
The time of passage through the part of the Canal provided with locks (Malkia to Brusnitchnoe) is 5 to 8 hours depending, for instance, on the frequency of the traffic and the size of the vessel.
Restrictions
Saimaa VTS is in operation.
Tugs
Under ice conditions the administrative centre of the National Board of Navigation arranges towing, free of charge. To be ordered through ship's agent.
Charts and publications
Admiralty Pilot NP20.
Finnish 401.
Reporting before arrival
updated May 2010ETA and pre-arrival notices
To be advised by vessel's agent.
Communications
VHF: A network system is used on Lake Saimaa.
VTS Communication: call sign 'Saimaa VTS', Ch 09. All passenger vessels and all other vessels of more than 25m in length must maintain a continuous watch on VHF Ch 09 in the Saimaa Canal and the deep channel on Lake Saimaa.
While in the Saimaa Canal, vessels must listen to Ch 09 and 11. On Lake Saimaa vessels must listen to Ch 09 and 16.
Locks: (Taipale and Konnus), call the 'Name of lock' on Ch 11.
Notice of readiness
NOR is to be tendered on arrival in accordance with the Charter Party. Working hours are normally 0800-1600hrs.
Health
Pratique should be applied for if there is contagious disease onboard. Pratique can be applied for by radio.
Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Exemption Certificates can be renewed.
Customs and immigration
Customs allowances: For a crew member's own use there is an allowance of 1 carton of cigarettes and 1-2 bottles of spirits. Penalty for exceeding the allowance depends on the quantity the allowance was exceeded by.
Immigration: If a vessel is carrying passengers, the ship's agent is to be advised in advance for an Immigration check. There are no restrictions for crew members.
Inspections
Port State Control here: Paris MOU.
Running now: the Paris and Tokyo MOU concentrated inspection campaign on cargo securing, 1 September to 30 November 2026. Its questions are published: the questionnaire.
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: Finnish Maritime Administration, Maritime Safety Department.
Position: Senior Maritime Inspector.
Address: PO Box 171, Porkkalankatu 5, FIN-00181 Helsinki, Finland.
Tel: +358 2 0448 4437.
Fax: +358 2 0448 4500.
Mob: +358 4 0515 5408.
Website: http://www.fma.fi
For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org
Port services
updated Jul 2021Repairs
Available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: To be ordered through agent.
Medical
Nearest hospital: Vuoksen Kuntoutus Ky (1.5km).
Transport
Nearest airport: Lappeenranta (50km).
Nearest railway: In the port.
Working hours
Mon-Fri 0600-2200hrs, 2 shifts. Sat, 1 shift possible.
About Vuoksen Terminal
updated May 2010Where it is
Vuoksen Terminal is situated in the City of Imatra, via the Saimaa Canal close to the Russian border.
The port
The terminal is operated by OY Saimaa Terminals AB for general and timber cargoes. Pilotage from the canal entrance is 25nm.
Questions about Vuoksen Terminal
What are the pilot arrangements at Vuoksen Terminal?
Pilotage in the Russian water area is carried out by the Russian Pilot Service.
What time zone is Vuoksen Terminal in?
Local time at Vuoksen Terminal is UTC+3. No summer time.
What is the water density at Vuoksen Terminal?
1000.
Which load line zone is Vuoksen Terminal in?
Summer Zone for ships over 100m in length and Winter Seasonal Area for ships of 100m or less in length, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.
Who carries out Port State Control at Vuoksen Terminal?
Port State Control at Vuoksen Terminal: Paris MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Vuoksen Terminal?
The UN/LOCODE of Vuoksen Terminal is FIVKT.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Vuoksen Terminal say: pilot boarding, the agent's papers, inspections, shore leave. Each tip is shown with the writer's rank and ship type, and an AI summary sits on top once there are three or more.
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A planning aid, not for navigation. These facts come from public sources and each section shows how old it is. Check with the port, your agent, your ENCs and official publications. Spotted something wrong? Tell us on the feedback board.