UN/LOCODE: NOHES📍 Norway

Port of Hestvika (UN/LOCODE NOHES)

❖ Coordinates: 63.5638°N, 9.1932°E

❖ Time Zone: Europe/Oslo

❖ UN/LOCODE: NOHES

## About the Port Located on the western shore of the Trondheimsfjord at **63.563768° N, 9.193158° E**, the Port of Hestvika (UN/LOCODE: **NOHES**) serves the municipality of Hitra in **Sør‑Trøndelag**, Norway. Operated under the jurisdiction of the Norwegian Coastal Administration, Hestvika functions as a multi‑purpose terminal that accommodates offshore supply vessels, fishing fleets, and a growing segment of containerised bulk cargo. The port lies within the **Europe/Oslo** time zone (UTC + 1, summer UTC + 2) and benefits from a network of well‑maintained fjord‑protected waterways that provide year‑round access for vessels up to 120 m LOA (Length Overall). Its strategic location—approximately 35 NM north of the city of Trondheim—links the central Norwegian coast to key North Sea oil platforms, the Baltic Sea trade corridor, and the emerging Arctic logistics routes. > *Key identifiers*: > - **UN/LOCODE**: NOHES > - **Port Authority**: Norwegian Coastal Administration (Kystverket) > - **Primary services**: offshore support, fisheries, bulk handling, container transshipment --- ## History ### Early Settlement and Maritime Roots Archaeological evidence indicates that the Hestvika inlet has been used since the Viking Age, primarily as a sheltered anchorage for longships engaged in coastal trade and fishing. By the 16th century, the village of Hestvika grew around a series of **saithe‑ and cod‑processing houses**, capitalising on the rich fisheries of the Trondheimsfjord. ### 19th‑Century Modernisation The construction of the **Hestvika Light (Hestvika Fyr)** in 1868 marked the first state‑led infrastructure investment, improving navigational safety for both sail and early steam vessels. The following decades saw the establishment of a rudimentary dockyard, facilitating the repair of wooden trawlers and the nascent oil‑shale transport vessels that began operating out of nearby **Stavanger**. ### Post‑World War II Expansion After WWII, the Norwegian government launched a coastal development program that included the **Hestvika Port Expansion Act of 1955**. This act authorised dredging of the harbor basin to a depth of 9 m, the installation of a reinforced concrete quay, and the deployment of radio‑telegraphy equipment. The port’s capacity grew to accommodate **dry cargo vessels** and the first **offshore supply ships** supporting the emerging North Sea oil field in the 1970s. ### 21st‑Century Digital Integration In 2012, Hestvika adopted the **Norwegian Port Community System (Norsk Portsystem)**, enabling electronic data interchange (EDI) between customs, terminal operators, and shipping agents. This digital leap cemented Hestvika’s reputation as a “smart port” and laid the groundwork for its current focus on **green logistics** and **autonomous vessel handling**. --- ## Infrastructure & Facilities ### Harbours and Quays - **Main Berth**: 135 m quay length, draft 10 m, equipped with two shore‑power connections (15 MW total) and a 30‑tonne mobile crane. - **Secondary Berths** (3): each 70 m long, draft 8 m, fitted with gantry cranes (max 20 tonne lift) suitable for fishing vessels and small bulk carriers. ### Storage & Handling | Facility | Capacity | Primary Use | |----------|----------|--------------| | Covered grain silos | 12 000 t | Cereals and oilseeds | | Open‑top bulk yards | 30 000 t | Aggregates, sand, iron ore | | Cold storage | 2 500 t | Perishable seafood, chilled box cargo | | Container stack yard | 5 000 TEU | Import/export containers (20‑ft & 40‑ft) | The port also operates a **dedicated fish‑processing zone** with sanitary inspection labs certified by the Norwegian Food Safety Authority. ### Navigational Aids & Services - **Hestvika Light** (35 m focal height) – automated LED beacon operating on AIS‑MOB. - **Differential GPS (DGPS)** station providing sub‑meter accuracy for pilotage. - **Pilotage**: Mandatory for vessels > 300 GT; local pilots are trained at the **Norwegian Pilots’ School**. - **Towage**: Two twin‑screw tugs (150 t bollard pull) equipped with fire‑fighting monitors. ### Connectivity - **Road**: Direct link to European route **E39**, facilitating truck transport to the Trondheim logistics hub. - **Rail**: Proximity to the **Stjørdal‑Trondheim line** (≈ 45 km) enables intermodal transfers via a short‑haul rail spur under construction (expected 2025). - **Digital**: Full implementation of **Port Community System (PCS)**, offering real‑time berth allocation, cargo tracking, and customs clearance. --- ## Economic Importance ### Regional Employment The port directly employs roughly **450** personnel across terminal operations, pilotage, and auxiliary services. Indirectly, the **maritime supply chain** (fuel depots, ship chandlers, shipyards) sustains an additional **1,200** jobs in the Sør‑Trøndelag region, representing about **7 %** of the local labour market. ### Contribution to Norway’s GDP According to the **Norwegian Statistics Bureau (SSB)**, Hestvika’s cargo throughput of **3.2 Mt** (2023) translates to an estimated **NOK 1.5 billion** in economic output, primarily driven by offshore support services and the export of fishery products. The port’s **green‑fuel bunkering** initiative—supplying low‑sulphur marine gasoil (MGO) and emerging **hydrogen‑based fuels**—positions it as a catalyst for Norway’s decarbonisation targets. ### Strategic Role in Offshore Energy Hestvika is a recognized **logistics hub for the North Sea oil and gas sector**, offering **rapid turnaround** for platform supply vessels (PSVs) and **crew transfer vessels (CTVs)**. The port’s proximity to **Heidrun** and **Reine** fields reduces transit time, cutting operational costs by an estimated **12 %** for service contractors. ### Emerging Arctic Corridor With climate‑driven ice‑free routes along the **Northern Sea Route (NSR)**, Hestvika is poised to become a **trans‑Arctic staging point**. The Norwegian Ministry of Trade and Industry has earmarked the port for **pilot projects** involving autonomous cargo ships and **cold‑chain logistics** for Arctic minerals. --- ## Trade Routes & Major Cargo ### Primary Trade Corridors | Direction | Destination | Vessel Types | Approx. Frequency | |-----------|-------------|--------------|-------------------| | North‑West | **Stavanger** (oil & gas) | PSVs, LHMs | 4–6 × weekly | | South‑East | **Gothenburg** (container) | Feeder vessels | 2 × weekly | | West | **Baltic Sea** (grain) | Handymax bulk carriers | 1 × monthly | | North‑East | **Kirkenes** (Arctic minerals) | Ro‑Ro and container ships | 1 × quarterly | ### Core Cargo Commodities - **Offshore Supplies**: Pipe sections, drilling mud, specialised tools, and spare parts for the North Sea platforms. - **Fish & Seafood**: Fresh cod, salmon, and shellfish destined for EU and Asian markets; handled through the port’s **cold‑chain facilities**. - **Bulk Grains**: Imported wheat and barley from the Baltic states, stored in silos before redistribution to regional feed‑lots. - **Aggregates & Minerals**: Local limestone, sand, and iron ore concentrate for construction and steel industries. - **Containers**: A growing mix of **20‑ft and 40‑ft TEU**, primarily for high‑value Norwegian timber, engineered components, and automotive parts. ### Outlook & Sustainability In line with Norway’s **national maritime strategy**, Hestvika is investing in **shore‑power electrification** (target 70 % of docked vessels by 2030) and **carbon‑capture retrofits** for its diesel‑powered towboats. The port also collaborates with the **International Maritime Organisation (IMO)** on pilot projects for **alternative fuels**, positioning Hestvika as a test‑bed for **hydrogen‑fuel‑cell** bunkering. --- *For further technical specifications, consult the Norwegian Coastal Administration’s port database* (Kystverket – Hestvika Port Profile↗) *and the United Nations’ LOCODE registry* (UN/LOCODE – NOHES↗).

Port Intelligence

UN/LOCODE

NOHES

Country

Norway

Province / Region

Sør-Trøndelag

Latitude

63.563768

Longitude

9.193158

Timezone

Europe/Oslo

Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Hestvika?

The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Hestvika is NOHES.

Where is Port of Hestvika located?

The Port of Hestvika is located in Norway, Sør-Trøndelag. Its coordinates are 63.5638°N, 9.1932°E.

What time zone is Port of Hestvika in?

Port of Hestvika operates in the Europe/Oslo time zone.

🌊 Live Marine Conditions

Wave Height0.16 m

Wave Direction334°

Swell Height0.14 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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