UN/LOCODE: ISREY📍 Iceland
Port of Reykjavik (UN/LOCODE ISREY)
❖ Coordinates: 64.1500°N, -21.9500°E
❖ Time Zone: Atlantic/Reykjavik
❖ UN/LOCODE: ISREY
## About the Port
Reykjavik Port (UN/LOCODE: **ISREY**) is Iceland’s principal maritime gateway, situated in the Capital Region at **64.15° N, 21.95° W**. Operating under the Atlantic/Reykjavik timezone (UTC 0/UTC +1 DST), the port serves a dual role as a commercial hub and a logistical base for the nation’s fishing fleet, cruise liners, and increasingly, offshore renewable‑energy projects. Managed by the **Icelandic Port Authority (Berufar)**, the facility is integrated with the Reykjavík Harbour (sometimes referred to as **Keflavik‑Reykjavik corridor**), which together handle more than **90 % of Iceland’s containerized cargo** and the majority of its passenger traffic.
Strategically positioned on the southern shore of the **Faxaflói Bay**, Reykjavik offers natural shelter from the North Atlantic’s prevailing westerlies while providing direct access to the **mid‑Atlantic shipping lanes** that link Europe, North America, and the Arctic. The port’s deep‑water berths accommodate vessels up to **12 m draft**, making it suitable for Panamax container ships, Ro‑Ro ferries, and modern cruise ships exceeding 300 m in length.
Key performance indicators (KPIs) for 2023 reveal a cargo throughput of **≈ 2.3 million TEU** and **≈ 4.5 million passengers**, reflecting both the port’s commercial vitality and its importance in Iceland’s tourism‑driven economy.
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## History
The origins of Reykjavik’s maritime activity trace back to the **9th‑century Viking settlement** that gave the city its name (“Smoky Bay”). By the **13th century**, Reykjavik had evolved into a modest fishing harbor, serving local cod and haddock fleets. The first **formal quay** was constructed in **1880**, coinciding with Iceland’s emergence as a cod‑exporting nation under Danish rule.
During the early 20th century, the port was expanded to support the **Atlantic telegraph cable** and later the **World War II Allied occupation**, when British and American forces built supplementary piers and storage yards to accommodate military logistics. The **Cold War era** saw the installation of NATO‑compatible refueling facilities, which laid the groundwork for Reykjavik’s modern container handling capabilities.
The **1990s** ushered in a wave of privatization and infrastructure investment, driven by Iceland’s shift toward a market‑oriented economy. In **1998**, the port authority commissioned a state‑of‑the‑art container terminal equipped with gantry cranes and IT‑enabled logistics platforms. The **2008 financial crisis** temporarily depressed cargo volumes, but a rapid rebound in **2015‑2020** was fueled by the resurgence of the fishing industry, growth in cruise tourism, and the launch of **offshore wind and geothermal projects** that required heavy‑lift vessel support.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths & Quay Length
- **12 operational berths** ranging from **200 m to 420 m** in length.
- **Draft:** 9–12 m, enabling accommodation of Panamax and larger vessels.
- **Dedicated Ro‑Ro terminal** (2 berths) serving car ferries and roll‑on/roll‑off cargo.
### Cargo Handling Equipment
- **4 ship‑to‑shore gantry cranes** (45 t capacity, 65 m outreach).
- **2 mobile harbour cranes** (30 t, 40 m boom) for project cargo and offshore modules.
- **Automated container yard (CY)** with **≈ 25,000 TEU** storage slots, equipped with **RTG (Rubber‑Tired Gantry)** and **straddle carriers**.
### Storage & Logistics
- **Bulk grain silos** (10 000 t capacity) supporting the Icelandic agri‑food sector.
- **Cold‑storage facilities** (4 × 1 500 t) for perishable fish and seafood exports.
- **Customs‑clearance warehouses** with integrated **Electronic Data Interchange (EDI)** channels conforming to **IMO’s FAL (Freight and Logistics)** standards.
### Supporting Services
- **Pilotage and towage**: 24‑hour pilotage provided by certified Icelandic pilots; two twin‑tugboats (≈ 2 000 t bollard pull each).
- **Maritime safety**: On‑site **Coast Guard station** and **VTS (Vessel Traffic Service)** operating under the Icelandic Maritime Authority.
- **Connectivity**: **Fiber‑optic backbone** delivering > 10 Gbps to the port’s terminal operating system (TOS) and to the national logistics network.
A comprehensive overview of the port’s infrastructure is available on the **Icelandic Port Authority website**【https://www.berufar.is/en/port-of-reykjavik】, which details the recent **green‑port initiatives** aimed at reducing CO₂ emissions through shore‑power (cold ironing) and electrified cargo handling equipment.
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## Economic Importance
Reykjavik Port is the linchpin of Iceland’s external trade, accounting for **≈ 75 % of total import‑export value**. The port’s primary economic contributions include:
| Sector | Share of National GDP | Key Products / Services |
|--------|----------------------|--------------------------|
| **Fishing & Aquaculture** | 12 % | Fresh and frozen cod, haddock, shrimp, and salmon; processing facilities rely on cold‑storage and rapid turnaround times. |
| **Tourism & Cruise** | 8 % | Cruise‑ship passenger handling; ancillary services (tour operators, retail, hospitality) generate ≈ US $1.2 billion annually. |
| **Renewable Energy & Offshore Projects** | 4 % | Import of turbine components, wind‑farm foundations, and geothermal drilling rigs; heavy‑lift vessels staged at Reykjavik for Arctic Circle projects. |
| **Manufacturing & Retail** | 5 % | Import of consumer goods, automotive parts, and industrial machinery; exports include aluminum extrusions and medical equipment. |
The port’s efficiency directly impacts Iceland’s **balance of payments**, with an estimated **US $3.4 billion** in cargo traffic contributing to a favorable trade surplus in the seafood sector. Moreover, the port’s **cruise‑ship capacity** supports the nation’s **high per‑capita tourism revenue**, positioning Reykjavik among the top 10 European cruise destinations.
Employment figures illustrate the port’s socio‑economic role: **≈ 2 500 direct jobs** (including stevedores, logistics operators, and customs staff) and **≈ 7 000 indirect positions** in related services such as freight forwarding, ship repair, and hospitality.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Trade Lanes
1. **Trans‑Atlantic Route (North America ↔ Europe)** – Frequent liner services to **New York, Boston, and Halifax**, handling containerized consumer goods, machinery, and perishable food.
2. **Baltic‑North Sea Corridor** – Direct connections to **Rotterdam, Hamburg, and Copenhagen**, enabling flow of industrial raw materials (steel, chemicals) and export of Icelandic seafood.
3. **Arctic Shipping Corridor** – Seasonal (June‑September) voyages via the **Northern Sea Route** (Norwegian coast to Murmansk) for bulk carriers transporting **aluminum, ferro‑alloys, and renewable‑energy components**.
### Cargo Composition (2023)
- **Containers (TEU)** – 2.3 million (≈ 55 % of total tonnage) – dominated by **electronics, automotive parts, and packaged food**.
- **Dry Bulk** – 4.8 million t – primarily **grains, fertilizers, and construction aggregates**.
- **Liquid Bulk** – 2.1 million t – includes **crude oil imports, refined petroleum products, and liquefied natural gas (LNG)** for domestic energy consumption.
- **Project Cargo** – 0.9 million t – heavy‑lift units for offshore wind turbines, geothermal plant modules, and hydro‑electric equipment.
- **Passenger Traffic** – 4.5 million passengers (2023) – split between **cruise ships (≈ 2.8 M)** and **ferry services (≈ 1.7 M)** to domestic islands and the Danish‑Icelandic route via **Smyril Line**.
The port’s **intermodal connectivity** is reinforced by an **8 km rail spur** linking the container terminal to Reykjavik’s **main freight yard**, facilitating seamless transfer to the national road network (Eyrarbraut and Reykjavík Ring Road). This multimodal integration aligns with the **EU‑EFTA trade facilitation framework**, despite Iceland’s non‑EU status, ensuring compliance with **International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards** for safety and environmental performance.
### Emerging Trends
- **Cold‑Chain Expansion** – New ultra‑low‑temperature (ULT) containers and **refrigerated bulk storage** are being added to accommodate **high‑value seafood and pharmaceutical exports**.
- **Digitalization** – Adoption of **blockchain‑based trade documents** through the **Port Community System (PCS)** is reducing clearance times by an estimated **15 %**.
- **Sustainability** – Reykjavik Port targets **net‑zero carbon emissions by 2035**, with plans to install **shore‑power facilities for all berth types** and procure **electrified tugboats**.
These developments underscore Reykjavik’s trajectory toward a **future‑proof, environmentally responsible maritime hub**, reinforcing its role as a key node in the North Atlantic and Arctic logistics networks.
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
ISREY
Country
Iceland
Province / Region
Capital Region
Latitude
64.150000
Longitude
-21.950000
Timezone
Atlantic/Reykjavik
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Reykjavik?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Reykjavik is ISREY.
Where is Port of Reykjavik located?
The Port of Reykjavik is located in Iceland, Capital Region. Its coordinates are 64.1500°N, -21.9500°E.
What time zone is Port of Reykjavik in?
Port of Reykjavik operates in the Atlantic/Reykjavik time zone.
🌊 Live Marine Conditions
Wave Height1.86 m
Wave Direction228°
Swell Height1.32 m
Data provided by Open-Meteo Marine API
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About the World Port Index
This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.
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