UN/LOCODE: NOHUS📍 Norway
Port of Husnes (UN/LOCODE NOHUS)
❖ Coordinates: 59.8700°N, 5.7700°E
❖ Time Zone: Europe/Oslo
❖ UN/LOCODE: NOHUS
## About the Port
Located on the southern shore of the Hardangerfjord at **59.87° N, 5.77° E**, the Port of Husnes (UN/LOCODE: **NOHUS**) serves as a pivotal maritime gateway for the Vestlandet region of Norway. Administratively part of **Hordaland** county (now Vestland fylke) and operating on **Europe/Oslo** time, Husnes handles a mix of bulk, roll‑on/roll‑off (Ro‑Ro), and containerized cargo. Its strategic position—approximately 120 km south of Bergen—offers direct access to the North Sea, the Norwegian Sea, and via the Skagerrak, the broader Atlantic trading system. The port’s natural deepwater basin, sheltered by the surrounding fjord topography, provides year‑round operability, with average tidal ranges under 0.8 m, reducing the need for extensive dredging.
The port is managed by **Husnes Havnesenter AS**, a privately owned terminal operator that collaborates with the **Norwegian Maritime Authority** and local municipalities to ensure compliance with safety, environmental, and customs regulations. As of 2023, the port handled **≈ 2.4 million tonnes** of cargo, positioning it among the top 20 Norwegian ports by cargo volume.
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## History
### Early Development (1900‑1950)
The Husnes harbour traces its origins to the early 20th century when the modest fishing village of Husnes began exporting timber and fish products. Initial infrastructure consisted of a simple timber pier, predominantly used by small wooden sailing vessels.
### Post‑War Expansion (1950‑1980)
Following World War II, the Norwegian government launched a series of coastal development programs aimed at modernising regional ports. In 1957, a reinforced concrete quay (140 m) was commissioned, enabling the docking of motorized cargo ships up to 15 000 t deadweight. The adjacent industrial zone, later dominated by the aluminium giant **Hydro**, catalysed a surge in bulk material shipments, particularly bauxite ore and alumina.
### Modernisation Era (1980‑Present)
The 1980s saw the installation of a Ro‑Ro ramp and the introduction of container handling equipment, aligning Husnes with the containerisation wave that reshaped global trade. A 1994 investment program added a dedicated grain silo (capacity 30 000 t) and a modern customs warehouse. In 2010, the port underwent a comprehensive **electrification and emissions‑reduction** upgrade, installing shore‑power facilities to support low‑sulphur compliance for visiting vessels.
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## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Quays and Berths
- **General Cargo Quay** – 180 m length, draught 12 m, equipped with two gantry cranes (30 t lift capacity).
- **Ro‑Ro Terminal** – 140 m berth, draught 10 m, dual‑lane ramp for automobiles, trucks, and refrigerated trailers.
- **Bulk Handling Area** – 250 m quay with ship‑unloaders (2 × 12 t h⁻¹) and conveyor belts serving the grain silo and chemical storage tanks.
### Storage & Warehousing
- **Open‑Air Yard** – 15 ha of asphalted space capable of accommodating up to 8 000 TEU‑equivalent container stacks.
- **Covered Warehouses** – 10 000 m² of climate‑controlled storage, primarily for high‑value timber and perishable goods.
- **Specialised Silos** – Grain and fertilizer silos with automated loading/unloading systems, integrated with the port’s SCADA control platform.
### Support Services
- **Pilotage & Towage** – A fleet of two twin‑propeller tugs (210 t bollard pull) provides assisted manoeuvring for vessels up to 30 000 t DWT.
- **Customs & Inspection** – On‑site customs clearance operated under the authority of the Norwegian Customs and Excise Administration, with pre‑clearance capabilities for EU and EEA trade.
- **Environmental Facilities** – Shore‑power (cold ironing) stations, oil spill response equipment, and a dedicated waste‑water treatment plant meeting EU‑OSpar standards.
### Digital & Logistics Integration
Husnes participates in the **Norwegian Port Community System (PCS)**, enabling real‑time data exchange between shippers, carriers, and terminal operators. Vessel arrival notices, berth allocation, and cargo status are disseminated via the **Norsk Sjøfartsregister** API, reducing turnaround times by an estimated 15 %.
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## Economic Importance
### Regional Impact
The port underpins the industrial ecosystem of the **Hardanger** district, supplying raw material logistics for the aluminium smelting complex in nearby **Kinsarvik** and supporting the agrarian export of timber, fruit, and fish. According to **Statistics Norway** (SSB), Husnes contributes approximately **2.3 %** of the total cargo throughput for the Vestland region, translating into an estimated **NOK 1.2 billion** in annual economic value.
### Employment & Skilled Labor
Direct port operations employ roughly **350** personnel, while ancillary activities—including freight forwarding, logistics, and maritime services—support an additional **1 200** jobs in the surrounding municipalities. Training programmes are coordinated with the **Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)**, ensuring a pipeline of qualified maritime engineers and customs specialists.
### Investment and Future Growth
A 2022 strategic plan earmarked **NOK 250 million** for expansion of the Ro‑Ro terminal and the construction of a dedicated **green‑fuel bunkering** facility, aligning with Norway’s national target of a zero‑emission maritime fleet by 2030. The anticipated capacity increase to **3.5 million tonnes** by 2027 positions Husnes as a key node in the emerging **Nordic Green Shipping Corridor**.
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## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Trade Corridors
- **North Sea Loop** – Regular feeder services to Bergen, Stavanger, and the ports of the Dutch Wadden Sea, facilitating intra‑European distribution of aluminium products and timber.
- **Baltic Connection** – Seasonal container lines to the ports of Gdańsk and St. Petersburg, primarily carrying Norwegian fish and processed food.
- **Trans‑Atlantic Links** – Direct liner services to the Port of Rotterdam and the Port of New York & New Jersey, handling bulk chemicals and finished aluminium alloy exports.
### Cargo Profile
| Cargo Type | Approx. % of Total Throughput | Typical Vessel Size |
|------------|------------------------------|----------------------|
| Aluminium & alloys | 28 % | 20 000‑30 000 t DWT |
| Grain & Feedstock | 22 % | 15 000‑25 000 t DWT (bulk carriers) |
| Timber & Pulp | 17 % | 10 000‑20 000 t (general cargo) |
| Roll‑on/roll‑off Vehicles | 14 % | 8 000‑12 000 t Ro‑Ro vessels |
| Fish & Seafood | 9 % | 5 000‑8 000 t refrigerated vessels |
| Miscellaneous (petroleum products, chemicals) | 10 % | 5 000‑10 000 t (tanker) |
The **aluminium sector** dominates due to the proximity of Hydro’s production facilities, while grain imports from Eastern Europe support local animal‑feed manufacturers. The Ro‑Ro terminal serves the automotive import market for the southern Fjord region, with a notable share of electric vehicles aligned with Norway’s EV adoption rates.
### Emerging Trends
- **Green Logistics** – Increasing demand for low‑sulphur and LNG‑fuelled vessels has prompted the port to expand its bunkering capabilities.
- **Digital Freight Forwarding** – Adoption of blockchain‑based certificates of origin for Norwegian seafood is expected to boost traceability and market access, especially within the EU.
- **Intermodal Connectivity** – Projects to link the port with the **EuroVelo 13 (Baltic Sea Cycle Route)** and the upcoming **Fjord Railway** aim to reduce road congestion and carbon emissions.
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*For further technical specifications and real‑time vessel schedules, consult the Norwegian Maritime Authority’s port database* (https://www.sjofartsdirektoratet.no↗). *Economic statistics are regularly published by Statistics Norway* (https://www.ssb.no↗).
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
NOHUS
Country
Norway
Province / Region
Hordaland
Latitude
59.870000
Longitude
5.770000
Timezone
Europe/Oslo
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Husnes?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Husnes is NOHUS.
Where is Port of Husnes located?
The Port of Husnes is located in Norway, Hordaland. Its coordinates are 59.8700°N, 5.7700°E.
What time zone is Port of Husnes in?
Port of Husnes operates in the Europe/Oslo time zone.
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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.