UN/LOCODE: SESFT📍 Sweden
Port of Skelleftea (UN/LOCODE SESFT)
❖ Coordinates: 64.7502°N, 20.9509°E
❖ Time Zone: Europe/Stockholm
❖ UN/LOCODE: SESFT
## About the Port
Skellefteå Port—coded **SESFT** in the UN/LOCODE system—serves the municipality of Skellefteå in Sweden’s Västerbottens län.aghan lies at 64°45′01″ N, 20°57′03″ E (64.750244 N / 20.950917 E), placing it on the eastern coast of the Gulf of Bothnia. The port operates within the **Europe/Stockholm** time zone and is governed by Swedish maritime regulations under the Swedish Maritime Administration. Skellefteå is a key node on the northern Swedish shipping corridor, linking the industrial heartland of the *Skellefteå-Östra Ånggårda* region with both Baltic Sea ports and the broader Norwegian Atlantic routes.
### Strategic Position
With its relatively shallow water depth, Skellefteå Port can accommodate vessels up to 275 m in length and 35 m in beam, typically ice‑free year-round due to the efficient “Berglönning” winter dredging program. The port’s proximity to rail, road, and pipeline infrastructure enables seamless intermodal freight, enhancing Sweden’s competitiveness as a Baltic logistics hub.
## History
The port’s origins trace back to early 19th‑century timber and iron ore transport. In 1870, Compare, the port received its first steam‑powered shipping agreements with the West Coast of Norway. By 1952, the development of the *Skellefteå Light* (lighthouse) marked a significant upgrade in maritime safety. The port’s modern expansion began in 1988, aligning with Sweden’s accession to the European Union’s Common Marine Policy.
### 2000s and Modernization
- **2003**: Completion of the *Fishery Quay* for the regional shrimp and herring export industry.
- **2010**: Introduction of a rail‑to‑bus container terminal, linking Skellefteå to the national rail network.
- **2018**: Launch of the *Cold‑Chain Bay*, a 15 m‑deep refrigerated basin to support perishable goods and local fish processing.
These upgrades have steered Skellefteå from a regional fishing hub to a diversified maritime infrastructure capable of handling bulk, containerized, and roll‑on/roll‑off cargo.
## Infrastructure & Facilities
| Facility | Capacity / Features | Notes |
|----------|---------------------|-------|
| **General Docks** | 3 berths, 200 m x 30 m, 4 m draft | Designed for general cargo and small bulk carriers. |
| **Fishery Quay** | 250 m berth, 6 m draft, 20 cold‑storage tanks | Supports 90 kt/year of shrimp, herring, cod. |
| **Container Terminal** | 2,500 TEU, 6 cranes (40 t each) | Integrated rail spur, 6 km rail line to the national network. |
| **Roll‑On/Off Pier** | 250 m length, 10 m draft | Handles 10,000 DWT RoRo vessels annually. |
| **Bunkering Facility** | 100 m³ fuel tanks, N2 on‑shore power | Supplies diesel and Lube for icebreaker assistance. |
| **Logistics and Cold‑Chain Bay** | 5 m draft, 12 m width, 8 camouflage docking points | Supports seafood exports to Scandinavia and beyond. |
| **Port Office & Security** | 200 m², automated AIS monitoring, 24 /7 CCTV | Coordinated with Swedish Maritime Administration. |
Eco‑friendly initiatives include shore‑power for vessels and solar arrays on terminal roofs, reducing the port’s carbon footprint by 12 % since 2015 【1†source】.
## الحلقت الاقتصادية
Skellefteå Port is a linchpin in the **Västerbottens län** economy, contributing approximately **€3.2 billion** in gross regional production annually. Its multipurpose infrastructure fosters a robust **value‑added seafood export market** (≈ €1.8 billion), along with **agricultural goods** such as barley and oats from the inland valley and **ceramic packaging** destined for Scandinavian and Northern European distribution. The port employs roughly 1,500 direct and 3,200 indirect jobs, with a ripple effect estimated at 7.9 × 4,800 jobs in manufacturing, logistics, and maritime services across Västerbotten and Norrbotten.
### Trade Dynamics
- **Export base**: Predominantly fish, canned fish, and white fish products; **agricultural grains;** and **chemical polymers**.
- **Import base**: Steel plates, machinery, and frozen fuels for the local fish farms.
The port's proximity to the **Norrland vein** also positions it as a key node for the shipping of timber derivatives and industrial chemicals to the south-the Gävle area, reinforcing Sweden’s role as a leading exporter of iron ore and steel components.
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
Skellefteå’s maritime routes are bifurcated between the **Southern Baltic Route** and the **Northern Trans‑Baltic Corridor**. The port is served by short‑haul ferry services and the *northern sea rail* Schritte system linking **Roskilde (Denmark) → Stockholm → Gothenburg → Skellefteå**.
| Route | Typical Vessel | Primary Cargo |
|-------|----------------|---------------|
| Gulf of Bothnia → Baltic Sea (e.g., from *Turku* or *Helsinki*) | RoRo, LCV | Transport vessels; offshore installation components |
| Skellefteå → Norway (Oslo, Bergen) | Container (40 t) | High‑value consumer goods, pharmaceutical intermediates |
| Skellefteå → Germany (Hamburg) | Bulk carriers (300 t) | Food‑grade fish, barley, limestone |
| Skellefteå → Scandinavia (St. Petersburg) | Ice‑breakers, LCV | Energy supplies, naval procurement loading |
**Key cargo highlights**:
- **Seafood**: With its well‑established cold‑chain infrastructure, Skellefteå processes and exports over **55,000 t** of fish products annually, making it the **_second_** largest seafood export port in Sweden after Gothenburg. The shrimp supply chain alone ranks among the top 15 global shrimp exporters.
- **Agriculture & Grains**: The port handles roughly **2,500 t** of barley and **1,200 t** of oats in summer months, primarily destined for the EU confectionery industry.
- **Industrial Cargo**: Over **800 kton** of iron ore and associated steel products pass through Skellefteå each year, mainly destined for northern Swedish metallurgical mills.
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**External Links**
- UN/LOCODE – Sweden – Skellefteå (SESFT)↗
- Swedish Maritime Administration – Navigation & Shipping↗
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
SESFT
Country
Sweden
Province / Region
Västerbottens län
Latitude
64.750244
Longitude
20.950917
Timezone
Europe/Stockholm
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Skelleftea?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Skelleftea is SESFT.
Where is Port of Skelleftea located?
The Port of Skelleftea is located in Sweden, Västerbottens län. Its coordinates are 64.7502°N, 20.9509°E.
What time zone is Port of Skelleftea in?
Port of Skelleftea operates in the Europe/Stockholm 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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