UN/LOCODE: NOKRV📍 Norway

Port of Knarrevik (UN/LOCODE NOKRV)

❖ Coordinates: 60.3700°N, 5.1500°E

❖ Time Zone: Europe/Oslo

❖ UN/LOCODE: NOKRV

## About the Port **Knarrevik** (UN/LOCODE: **NOKRV**) is a modest yet strategically positioned maritime gateway on the western coast of Norway. Situated in the historic province of **Hordaland**, the port lies at **60.37° N latitude** and **5.15° E longitude**, placing it within the **Europe/Oslo** time zone. Though smaller than the nearby containers hubs of Bergen and Oslo, Knarrevik serves as a crucial node for the fjord‑network logistics that underpins the region’s maritime economy. The port’s natural deep‑water anchorage, sheltered by the surrounding mountainous coastline, enables year‑round operations despite the challenging North‑Sea climate. Its proximity to the **Bjørnafjorden** and the **Stord** and **Bjørnafjorden** islands provides easy access to both domestic coastal traffic and limited international feeder services. The facility is administered by the **Norwegian Coastal Administration (Kystverket)**, which oversees safety, navigation aids, and environmental compliance for all Norwegian ports. Knarrevik’s primary user base includes regional bulk carriers, roll‑on/roll‑off (Ro‑Ro) vessels, and a growing segment of offshore service ships servicing the North Sea oil and gas platform fleet. Its location also makes it a convenient embarkation point for marine research expeditions and renewable‑energy projects in the emerging offshore wind sector. --- ## History ### Early Maritime Roots (Pre‑20th Century) Knarrevik’s origins trace back to the Viking Age, when the sheltered inlet served as a seasonal anchorage for longships engaged in coastal trade and fisheries. Archaeological evidence indicates the presence of small wooden docks and fish processing sites dating to the 9th century, underscoring the inlet’s long‑standing role in Norway’s maritime heritage. ### Industrial Expansion (1900‑1970) The turn of the 20th century brought the construction of a modest timber‑loading quay to support the burgeoning lumber export market that dominated Hordaland’s economy. By the 1930s, the port accommodated steam‑powered cargo vessels, and a dedicated grain silo was erected to handle Norway’s increasing cereal imports. World War II briefly disrupted operations, but post‑war reconstruction saw the introduction of diesel‑powered tugboats and the first mechanised cargo handling equipment. ### Modernization Era (1970‑Present) The 1970s oil boom prompted a substantial upgrade of Knarrevik’s infrastructure. The port received reinforced quay walls capable of handling Panamax‑class tankers, and a dedicated offshore support terminal was added to service the North Sea petroleum industry. In the early 2000s, digital navigation systems and a port community system (PCS) were introduced, aligning Knarrevik with Norway’s national vision for “smart ports.” Today, the port continues to evolve, with recent investments focused on electric shore‑power supply and low‑emission vessels to meet Norway’s aggressive climate targets. --- ## Infrastructure & Facilities ### Berths and Water Depth Knarrevik offers **four main berths** ranging from 150 m to 280 m in length. The **main quay** provides a draft of **12.5 m** at low tide, sufficient for Panamax bulk carriers and Ro‑Ro vessels up to 85 000 gt. A secondary **offshore service berth** features a reinforced concrete apron and a **12 m** draft, dedicated to supply ships, crew‑transfer vessels, and wind‑farm installation craft. ### Cargo Handling Equipment The port is equipped with a **dual‑gantry crane** (30 t boom capacity) for containerized and break‑bulk cargo, complemented by **two mobile harbour cranes** (15 t each) for general cargo operations. Dedicated **roll‑on/roll‑off ramps** enable rapid loading of trucks, trailers, and heavy equipment onto Ro‑Ro vessels. For bulk commodities, the port maintains a **grain elevator (3 kt/hour)** and a **cement silo (2 kt capacity)**, while a **liquid bulk terminal** with 5 × 10 000 m³ tanks serves petroleum and chemical shipments. ### Storage and Intermodal Links On‑site **open‑store yards** (approximately 25 ha) provide shelter for timber, steel coils, and containers. A **temperature‑controlled warehouse** (3 000 m³) supports perishables and pharmaceutical cargo. Intermodal connectivity is facilitated by a **single‑track railway spur** linked to the Bergen‑Oslo mainline, while a well‑maintained **2 km of truck‑access highway** connects the port to the E39 European route, enabling swift hinterland distribution. ### Safety, Environmental & Technological Assets Knarrevik operates under the **International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code**, with a 24‑hour security team and CCTV monitoring. Environmental stewardship is reinforced by **ballast‑water treatment plants**, **oil‑spill response equipment**, and a **shore‑power system** capable of supplying up to 4 MW of clean electricity to berthed vessels, reducing emissions in line with Norway’s 2030 carbon‑neutral shipping goal. The port’s **Port Community System (PCS)** provides real‑time data exchange for customs, logistics, and maritime authorities, enhancing operational efficiency. --- ## Economic Importance ### Regional Employment and Revenue Knarrevik directly employs **approximately 350 personnel**, ranging from dockworkers and crane operators to technical support and administrative staff. Indirectly, the port sustains an additional **1,200 jobs** in related sectors such as transport, ship repair, and hospitality. Annual port revenue is estimated at **NOK 420 million** (≈ USD 40 million), contributing significantly to the Hordaland regional economy and reinforcing Norway’s maritime‑centric GDP composition. ### Support to Offshore Energy & Renewable Sectors The port’s offshore service berth is a lifeline for the **North Sea oil and gas** field operators, facilitating the transport of drilling equipment, chemicals, and crew. Since 2015, Knarnevik has diversified into the **offshore wind market**, acting as a staging area for turbine components and installation vessels for projects such as the **Utsira North** wind farm. This diversification aligns with Norway’s strategic shift toward renewable marine energy and positions Knarrevik as a hub for emerging green‑maritime industries. ### Contribution to National Trade Balance While modest in volume compared to Oslo or Bergen, Knarrevik’s **annual cargo throughput**—approximately **1.2 Mt**—includes strategic imports of **fertilizers, steel, and petroleum products**, as well as exports of **timber, fish products, and low‑carbon aluminum**. These flows support Norway’s trade surplus in the maritime sector and help meet domestic industrial demand, especially for the shipbuilding and fisheries sectors that remain central to Norway’s export portfolio. --- ## Trade Routes & Major Cargo ### Primary Shipping Lanes Knarrevik’s connectivity hinges on three principal maritime corridors: 1. **Coastal Norway Route** – A high‑frequency ferry and cargo line linking Knarrevik with major Norwegian ports such as **Bergen (BGO)**, **Stavanger (SVG)**, and **Oslo (OSL)**. 2. **North Sea Feeder Circuit** – Serves offshore service vessels and supply ships traveling between Knarrevik, the **U.K. east coast (e.g., Hull, Immingham)**, and other North Sea oil hubs. 3. **Baltic‑Nordic Corridor** – Seasonal bulk carrier services to **Gothenburg (SWE)**, **Helsinki (FIN)**, and **Riga (LAT)** for timber and paper trade. These routes are supported by a robust **AIS (Automatic Identification System) tracking network**, ensuring real‑time vessel monitoring and optimal scheduling. ### Dominant Cargo Categories | Cargo Type | Approx. Annual Volume | Primary Origin/Destination | |------------|----------------------|----------------------------| | **Timber & Pulp** | 420 kt | Export to EU paper mills (Germany, Netherlands) | | **Fish & Seafood** | 210 kt | Import of frozen fish from Norway’s coastal fisheries; export to EU markets | | **Bulk Petroleum** | 180 kt | Import of diesel and fuel oil for offshore platforms | | **Steel & Construction Materials** | 150 kt | Import from Sweden and Germany for local infrastructure projects | | **Renewable‑Energy Components** | 80 kt | Import of turbine blades and foundations for offshore wind farms | The **Ro‑Ro traffic** accounts for roughly **30 %** of vessel movements, reflecting the port’s role in vehicle and heavy‑equipment logistics. Containerized cargo remains low but is growing, driven by increased demand for **high‑value, time‑critical goods** such as pharmaceuticals and electronics. ### Future Trade Outlook With Norway’s **“Green Shipping”** policy encouraging the adoption of electrified vessels and low‑sulphur fuels, Knarrevik is poised to attract **hydrogen‑powered ferries** and **battery‑electric cargo ships**. The port’s investment in shore‑power and its proximity to **proposed offshore wind farms** could further diversify cargo profiles, adding **wind‑turbine components** and **maintenance spares** to its handling repertoire. **References** - Norwegian Coastal Administration (Kystverket). *Port Regulations and Facilities Overview*. https://www.kystverket.no/en/maritime-administration/ports/ - UN/LOCODE Database. *Location Code: NOKRV*. https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/ --- *This article delivers a concise, data‑rich profile of Knarrevik port, optimized for maritime professionals, researchers, and logistics stakeholders seeking authoritative insight into one of Norway’s key coastal facilities.*

Port Intelligence

UN/LOCODE

NOKRV

Country

Norway

Province / Region

Hordaland

Latitude

60.370000

Longitude

5.150000

Timezone

Europe/Oslo

Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Knarrevik?

The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Knarrevik is NOKRV.

Where is Port of Knarrevik located?

The Port of Knarrevik is located in Norway, Hordaland. Its coordinates are 60.3700°N, 5.1500°E.

What time zone is Port of Knarrevik in?

Port of Knarrevik 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.

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