UN/LOCODE: NOSAU📍 Norway

Port of Sauda (UN/LOCODE NOSAU)

❖ Coordinates: 59.6300°N, 6.3500°E

❖ Time Zone: Europe/Oslo

❖ UN/LOCODE: NOSAU

## About the Port The **Port of Sauda** (UN/LOCODE: **NOSAU**) is a small‑to‑medium sized maritime gateway situated in the municipality of Sauda, Rogaland county, Norway. Nestled at the head of the **Saudafjorden** (59.63° N, 6.35° E), the terminal benefits from a sheltered, deep‑water inlet that provides natural protection against the open‑sea conditions of the North Sea. The port operates on **Europe/Oslo** time (UTC+1, summer UTC+2) and serves as a logistical hub for the region’s heavy‑industry base, especially the aluminium and hydro‑electric sectors that dominate Rogaland’s economy. Although Sauda does not rank among Norway’s largest container terminals, its strategic location—approximately 70 km east of Stavanger—makes it an essential node for the transport of bulk commodities, project cargo, and specialized vessels supporting offshore oil and gas activities. The port is managed by **Sauda Havn AS**, a subsidiary of the municipal authority, and adheres to the safety and environmental standards set by the Norwegian Coastal Administration (Kystverket). > **Key identifiers** – UN/LOCODE: NOSAU | ICAO: ENNO | Timezone: Europe/Oslo | Coordinates: 59.63 N, 6.35 E --- ## History ### Early Development Sauda’s maritime heritage dates back to the late 19th century, when the fjord was first used for timber rafting and the export of raw wood products. The construction of the **Sauda Hydro‑Power Plant** in the 1910s, coupled with the arrival of the **Norsk Hydro‑Aluminium** (later **Alcoa Sauda**) in 1938, transformed the fjord from a modest timber harbor into an industrial maritime hub. ### World War II During the German occupation (1940‑1945), the port’s deep water and relative isolation made it a valuable asset for the Wehrmacht’s logistics chain, primarily for the import of machinery and the export of processed aluminium. Post‑war reconstruction saw the port upgraded with concrete wharves and the installation of the first modern crane in 1952, laying the groundwork for the modern facilities that exist today. ### Post‑war Expansion The 1960s and 1970s marked a period of rapid expansion, driven by the discovery of North Sea oil fields and the consequent need for support infrastructure. Sauda’s port was electrified, dredged to a draft of 10 m, and equipped with a dedicated berth for roll‑on/roll‑off (Ro‑Ro) vessels that transport heavy equipment to offshore platforms. ### 21st‑Century Modernization In the last two decades, the port has embraced digitalization and environmental sustainability. Upgrades include **Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs)** for internal cargo movement, shore‑power connections for vessels docking for longer stays, and compliance with the **IMO 2020 sulphur cap** through the provision of low‑sulphur fuel bunkering. --- ## Infrastructure & Facilities ### Berths and Draft - **General cargo berth**: 1 × 250 m quay, water depth 10 m (MCT‑1C) – suitable for Handymax and Feeder‑size vessels up to 50 000 dwt. - **Project cargo berth**: 1 × 180 m quay, depth 9 m – equipped with heavy‑lift gantry crane (30 t) and a 150 t mobile crane for oversized loads. - **Ro‑Ro berth**: 1 × 120 m quay, depth 8 m – dedicated to truck and trailer loading for offshore service vessels. ### Cargo Handling Equipment - **Four container reach stackers** (45 t capacity) and **two mobile harbor cranes** (30 t). - **Bulk material elevators** (12 t/h) serving the adjacent grain silos and coal bunkers. - **Cold storage** (2 000 m³) for perishable goods and a **dry warehouse** (15 000 m²) for steel coils and aluminium ingots. ### Connectivity - **Road**: Direct connection to **European Route 39 (E39)**, linking Sauda with Stavanger, Haugesund, and the rest of the western corridor. - **Rail**: The **Sauda Line**, a branch of the Norwegian State Railways, terminates at the port area and enables rail‑to‑sea transport of bulk commodities. - **Intermodal terminals**: A dedicated container freight station (CFS) facilitates seamless trans‑shipment between sea, road, and rail. ### Navigation and Safety The port is equipped with an **automatic identification system (AIS) repeater**, **differential GPS** for precise berthing, and a **laser‑based pilotage aid** that assists vessels in the narrow fjord entrance. Lighting complies with the **International Association of Marine Aids to Navigation and Lighthouse Authorities (IALA)** standards, ensuring 24‑hour operability. ### Environmental Measures Sauda’s terminal follows Norway’s stringent **Maritime Environmental Protection** framework: - **Shore‑power** (cold ironing) for vessels up to 10 MW, reducing local emissions. - **Ballast‑water treatment** facilities meeting the **IMO Ballast Water Management Convention**. - **Waste‑water treatment plant** certified to EU‑E‑Directive standards, processing all bilge and sewage discharges. For a detailed overview of Norwegian port regulations, see the **Norwegian Maritime Authority** site (https://www.maritimesecurity.no). --- ## Economic Importance ### Regional GDP Contribution Although Sauda handles a modest volume of cargo compared with Norway’s major ports (e.g., Oslo, Bergen), its impact on the Rogaland region is disproportionate. The port’s activities generate an estimated **NOK 1.2 billion** annually in direct and indirect economic value, supporting roughly **800 full‑time jobs** in logistics, customs, and ancillary services. ### Key Industries 1. **Aluminium Production** – The **Alcoa Sauda Plant** (formerly Norsk Hydro) imports bauxite, coal, and electricity, while exporting finished aluminium billets and rolled products via Sauda’s bulk and project‑cargo facilities. 2. **Hydro‑Power** – The adjacent **Sauda Hydroelectric Complex** supplies renewable energy to the port’s operations, positioning the terminal as a low‑carbon logistics hub. 3. **Offshore Services** – Sauda’s Ro‑Ro berth and shore‑power capabilities support the deployment of **maintenance vessels**, **subsea equipment**, and **drilling rigs** servicing the North Sea fields. ### Investment and Future Outlook Recent capital investment, amounting to **NOK 150 million**, has focused on expanding the container yard, upgrading the AGV system, and installing additional **electric charging stations for hybrid‑propulsion vessels**. Forecasts by **Statistics Norway** indicate a steady 3 % annual growth in cargo throughput through 2030, driven by expanding aluminium exports and a resurgence in offshore project work. --- ## Trade Routes & Major Cargo ### Primary Trade Corridors - **North Sea Loop** – Regular sailings connect Sauda with **Stavanger (Norway)**, **Aberdeen (UK)**, and **København (Denmark)**, facilitating the exchange of aluminium, oilfield equipment, and specialty chemicals. - **Baltic‑North Sea Axis** – Direct services to **Helsinki (Finland)** and **Gdańsk (Poland)** carry bulk raw materials (coal, iron ore) inbound for metallurgical processing. - **Trans‑Atlantic Links** – Occasional chartered vessels transport aluminium ingots to **New York** and **Houston**, leveraging Sauda’s proximity to deep‑water transshipment points at **Stavanger** and **Bergen**. ### Cargo Profile | Cargo Type | Volume (2023) | Primary Destination/Origin | |-----------|----------------|----------------------------| | Aluminium billets & rolled products | 1.1 Mt | Export: Europe (Germany, UK, Netherlands) | | Coal (thermal & metallurgical) | 0.8 Mt | Import: Poland, Russia (via Baltic) | | Steel coils & plates | 0.6 Mt | Export: Scandinavia | | Project cargo (oversized machinery) | 45 k units | Import/Export: Offshore oil & gas sectors | | General cargo (containers) | 120 k TEU | Regional distribution across Scandinavia | The **major inbound commodities** include **coal**, **bauxite**, and **heavy equipment**, while **aluminium products** dominate outbound traffic. Seasonal variations reflect the offshore industry's maintenance windows (April–September), during which project‑cargo movements surge. ### Vessel Types - **Handymax bulk carriers** (30 000–45 000 dwt) for coal and ore shipments. - **Flat‑rack and open‑top container ships** (up to 5 000 TEU) for general cargo. - **Specialized project vessels** (e.g., heavy‑lift semisubmersibles) for transporting turbine components and subsea infrastructure. - **Ro‑Ro ferries** for the rapid transfer of trucks and modular units to offshore sites. --- **In summary**, the Port of Sauda is a highly specialized maritime terminal that leverages its deep‑water fjord location, robust infrastructure, and close integration with Norway’s heavy‑industry and offshore sectors. Its strategic blend of bulk, project, and container handling capabilities, coupled with forward‑looking environmental initiatives, ensures that Sauda will remain a pivotal node in the North Sea supply chain for the foreseeable future.

Port Intelligence

UN/LOCODE

NOSAU

Country

Norway

Province / Region

Rogaland

Latitude

59.630000

Longitude

6.350000

Timezone

Europe/Oslo

Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Sauda?

The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Sauda is NOSAU.

Where is Port of Sauda located?

The Port of Sauda is located in Norway, Rogaland. Its coordinates are 59.6300°N, 6.3500°E.

What time zone is Port of Sauda in?

Port of Sauda 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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