Imagine a massive cargo ship brimming with brand-new automobiles, slowly approaching the Scandinavian coastline—not to a crowded public harbor, but to a privately owned, highly efficient port facility. This is Wallhamn, Sweden's crucial gateway for vehicle imports and exports, and Scandinavia's largest private port. What makes this facility uniquely qualified for such an important role?
Strategic Location and Navigation
Located on Sweden's western coast, Wallhamn operates year-round as a deep-water port. Its strategic position benefits from prevailing southwesterly and northwesterly winds. Although it's a non-tidal port, it accommodates vessels with a maximum draft of 10.05 meters—sufficient for most large cargo ships. For safety, vessels exceeding 1,600 gross tons require mandatory pilotage.
Port Operations and Communication
The port maintains vessel communications via VHF radio channels 9, 11, 12, 14, and 16, with operational hours from 07:00 to 16:00. Large vessels may only enter during daylight hours, with specific length restrictions at different berths: 200 meters maximum at Berth 2, 135 meters at Berth 4, and 225 meters at Berth 5.
While Wallhamn lacks ship repair, waste disposal, or dry dock facilities, it provides essential services including fuel bunkering, food provisions, and medical assistance. The port can also facilitate consular services for most nationalities, though notably, it doesn't currently offer freshwater supplies.
Specialized Berth Facilities
The port's 11-meter-deep basin features diversified berthing options:
- Berth 6 (55 meters long, 6-meter draft): Primarily handles general cargo and bulk materials, particularly suited for stone products
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Roll-on/roll-off and container berths (2 through 5):
- Berth 2: 180 meters long, 21-meter ramp width, 11-meter draft
- Berth 3: 120 meters long, 39-meter ramp width, 11-meter draft
- Berth 4: 134 meters long, 30-meter ramp width, 8-meter draft
- Berth 5: 23.9 meters long, 50-meter ramp width, 8.2-meter draft
Automotive Trade Hub
As Scandinavia's largest private port, Wallhamn handles various container and dry bulk vessels, but its most distinctive role involves Sweden's vehicle trade. The port processes most of the country's automotive imports and exports, supported by extensive parking and processing areas that streamline vehicle storage and transportation.
Impressive Throughput Capacity
Wallhamn's operational scale becomes evident through its annual statistics: approximately 300 vessel calls, handling 16,000 TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), 100,000 vehicles, and 300,000 tons of general cargo. These figures underscore the port's vital position in Scandinavian trade networks.