Wilhelmshaven

Size limits

Harbour: LOA 400m, beam 61.3m, draught 18.5m, 229,348DWT.

Off Shore: Draught 17m, LOA 350m, BCM60.2m, 321,330DWT.

Water density

1022-1025.

Load line zone

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Tides

Range 4.3 (sprigs), 3.1 (neaps).

Height: In the River Jade area the tidal range extends from about 2.7m at Buoy JW 5/Jade 1 to about 3.8m abeam Jetties.

Stream: Max tidal stream rate during mean spring tide attains rates up to 4.5kts.

Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.

Port limits

The seaward boundary of the port of Wilhelmshaven is the geographical line between Langwarden, to the E and Schillig to the W.

The port limits are reached when passing Buoys No 34/35.

Traffic schemes and VTS

THE VTS on the River Jade is mandatory for all vessels over 50m in length and all vessels carrying dangerous goods. It is controlled by Walter and Shipping Directorate with its regional sub-organisation Wasser-und Schifffahrtsamt (WSA) Wilhelmshaven through radio station Jade Traffic.

The port of Wilhelmshaven does not maintain its own VTS, this service is covered by Jade Vessel Traffic Service.

Reporting:

A Sailing Plan (SP) should be sent to VTS Centre Jade before entering the VTS area from sea and before entering the area from a harbour or berth within the VTS area.

Deviation Report (DR): This should be sent to VTS Centre Jade Traffic by vessels changing their SP.

Incident Report (IR) (DG/HS/MP): An IR should be sent when an accident can impact the safety of the environment. Full details of the report might include cases of a Dangerous Goods Report, Harmful Substances Report or Marine Pollution Report.

Restrictions

Vessels with a draught exceeding 16.5m are controlled by tidal conditions and vessels have to navigate to a specified schedule. River passage at Buoy "Weser 1/Jade 2" begins about 4 hours prior to local HW at Wilhelmshaven and proceeds to the fixed tide schedule. Speed over the ground, to comply with the schedule, is approx 10kts. Ships with dangerous goods may not enter the River Jade or leave a berth or road at the Jade with visibility less than 1,000m.

Tugs

There are at least 5 tugs available, requests for a sixth or more tugs can be made through the vessel's agent.

Three have approx 2,400hp, the others approx 1,800hp. Tug's lines are used. Three tugs have fire fighting equipment.

Tugs are ordered through the agent. The number used is related to port regulations in co-ordination with pilots.

Tankers up to 5,000DWT are able to berth/unberth without or with one tug assistance depending on weather and tide conditions, tankers over 5,000DWT should use two tugs for berthing/unberthing.

Tug assistance is compulsory for tankers which need to be turned during floodtide before berthing or after unberthing.

Mooring

On first call vessels are always restricted to berth with port side alongside and will be visually checked if suitable for berthing with starboard side alongside on future calls.

Vessels can be restricted in berthing with port side alongside if there is not sufficient space between vessel's manifold and superstructure to place the shore gangway. Berthing with port side alongside is only possible during period from HW until 1 hour before LW.

WRG Terminal: A pair of leading lights (framework towers 12 and 15m in height, respectively) to assist in berthing are shown from both ends of the outer jetty when tankers are expected. Both ends of both jetties are floodlit. Vessels always berth stemming the tide at all berths. Mixed moorings are prohibited.

Spliced lines are not allowed unless an exception is made by Wilhelmshaven Raffinerie Gesellschaft.

NWO Terminal: Tankers always berth stemming the tidal stream. The largest tankers, bound for Berth No 4, enter Die Jade 4 hours before HW Wilhelmshaven, are turned at rest in a dredged turning area close N of the Jetty and manoeuvred stern first into the berth on the last of the in-going stream. Tankers up to 18.6m draught enter Die Jade 2.5 hours before HW and berth at HW. Tankers up to 12.2m draught can berth at any time.

Charts and publications

DE7, DE20, DE87. Admiralty Pilot NP55, NP286(2).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

ETA's should be sent as stipulated in the Charter Party. Normally this is 72, 48, 24 and 12 hours prior to arrival.

At 24 hours prior to arrival, a message should be sent, via the ship's agent, to the Water and Shipping Board (WSA), Wilhelmshaven. The message should state draught, port of departure, type and quantity of cargo and any deficiencies.

At 6 and 2 hours prior to arrival at the pilot station a message should be sent directly to Lotsenbruderschaft Weser II/Jade, Telex: 238605 WELTS or Fax: +49 471 413813.

Communications

Norddeich Radio (callsign "DAN") can be used for passing messages, worldwide, throughout 24 hours.

VHF: Pilots: Ch 16, 06, call "Jade Pilots". Tel: +49 4421 994697, Fax: +49 4421 994699, Email: [email protected]. Also on 1665kHz, 2182kHz H3E, J3E, available 24 hours.

Tugs: Ch 09; 11; 16.

Elbe-Weser Radio: Ch 16.

Jade Traffic VTS: Ch 16; 20; 63. Tel: +49 4421 489281, Fax: +49 4421 489208. Email: [email protected].

Wilhelmshaven Harbour: Ch 16; 11, call "Wilhelmshaven Port". Tel: +49 4421 40980999. Fax: +49 4421 40980998. Email: [email protected].

Wilhelmshaven Lock: Ch 16; 13.

Standard messages

All relevant information required by a vessel prior to arrival is advised through the vessel's agents.

Notice of readiness

The NOR has to be tendered as required by the relevant Charter Party and will be signed, for receipt, by the terminals or their representatives, generally when berthed, or ready for loading/discharging alongside, when pipelines are connected or when ready to undertake operations as requested.

Health

In general the Port Health Inspector will grant free pratique on arrival, during the inward clearance.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Exemption Certificate issued.

Customs and immigration

Customs allowances: If bonded stores were bought tax and duty free, then each crew member is allowed 1/3 litre of alcohol and 40 cigarettes per day of which one packet of cigarettes may be taken ashore. Crew leaving a vessel, for leave, may take 200 cigarettes and 1 litre of alcohol.

If quantities are exceeded, prosecution will take place if the value of smuggled goods exceeds the permitted amount. If the value is less than the permitted amount, then tax and Customs duties will be charged.

Present Customs regulations are based on German law but will be adjusted to European guidelines.

Immigration: The Crew List, to be received prior to the vessel's arrival, will be checked during inward clearance against passports and Seaman's Books to check validity.

On vessel's arrival the Immigration/Customs Officers will issue landing cards for certain nationals in accordance with government regulations. A landing card, together with a passport or Seaman's Book will be required by those wishing to proceed ashore.

Flags

Interco flags, national and courtesy ensigns required.

Notices and regulations

Terminal representatives will hand over port and safety regulations to the Master.

Shore leave is allowed. Crew members going ashore must take their passport or Seaman's Book with them.

On the vessel's arrival the Immigration/Customs Officers issue landing cards for certain nationals in compliance with government regulations. Crew members required to have a landing card must take it, together with their passport or Seaman's Book, with them when going ashore.

Identification cards are required at the NWO Terminal.

Taxis: Agencies normally have contracted drivers available at reasonable rates. Distance from the ICI Terminal, the furthest most berth, to Wilhelmshaven town centre is approx 20km.

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: Bundesamt fur Seeschifffahrt und Hydrographie.

Position: Head of Maritime Shipping Department.

Address: Bundesamt fur Seeschifffahrt u. Hydrographie (BSH) Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency Section S42 - Martime Security

Bernhard-Nocht-Str. 78

20359 Hamburg, Germany

Tel: +49 40 3190 7420

Fax: +49 40 3190 5009

Mob: +49 40 3190 7777

Web: http://www.deutsche-flagge.de/

Email: [email protected]

For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org

Repairs

All types of repairs to hull, engine and electrical/electronic equipment can be undertaken.

Divers available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Bunkers: All types and quantities of bunker fuel are available and can be delivered by barge from various suppliers. It is recommended to give at least 24 hours notice for bunkering arrangements prior to undertaking operations. Bunkers will normally be supplied by barge but, depending on the berth, may be available by road tanker.

Water: Fresh water normally supplied ex-shore.

Stores: Stores and provisions will normally be supplied by truck.

Medical

Wilhelmshaven General Hospital, 7km.

Crew change

Crew change is possible.

Arrangements for signing on/off crew members can be made at short notice.

Transport

Nearest airport: JadeWeser Airport located at Sande, 13km (domestic only).

Railway: The local railway station is located in the centre of Wilhelmshaven and is used for passenger transit only.

ICI, WRG and the Inner Harbour facilities have their own access to the railway system.

Roads: Wilhelmshaven is the end point of highway (autobahn) A-29.

Working hours

Inner Harbour: Mon-Fri 0700-1630hrs with meal breaks at 0900-0915hrs and 1200-1230hrs.

Niedersachsenbrucke: Bulk cargo can be discharged in 3 shifts from Mon 0600hrs to Sat 1200hrs. Overtime working can be arranged from 1200hrs Sat to 0600hrs Mon (holidays excluded).

Where it is

Wilhelmshaven is located on the German North Sea coast between the River Ems and the River Weser on the western side of the River Jade estuary.

The port

Wilhelmshaven, owned by Niedersachsen Ports, is the only German deep water port and has the largest import terminal for crude oil, a significant transfer terminal for mineral oil, coal, chemical products and container terminals. A non tidal, twin lock, Inner Harbour for transferring bulk, containers, refrigerated cargo, foodstuff and general cargo as well as project cargoes such as wind farm equipment.

Cargoes handled: Imports comprise crude oil, steam coal, chemicals, fertilisers, perishable foodstuffs, timber, salt and containerised cargo.

Exports are petroleum products, LPG, liquid chemicals, scrap and containerised cargo.

Traffic

Approximately 34,000,000t of cargo are handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Wilhelmshaven?

Pilotage is compulsory for tankers carrying gas/chemicals/petroleum/petroleum products in bulk, or unloaded tankers if not cleaned.

What time zone is Wilhelmshaven in?

Local time at Wilhelmshaven is UTC+1. Clocks go to UTC+2 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC+1 on 31 Oct 2027.

What is the maximum draft at Wilhelmshaven?

The deepest berth listed is at EUROGATE Container Terminal Wilhelmshaven: 18.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Wilhelmshaven?

1022-1025.

Which load line zone is Wilhelmshaven in?

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Who carries out Port State Control at Wilhelmshaven?

Port State Control at Wilhelmshaven: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Wilhelmshaven?

The UN/LOCODE of Wilhelmshaven is DEWVN.

What crews who called at Wilhelmshaven 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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