Haugesund, Norway
Haugesund: Historic Viking heartland, vibrant port city, and gateway to Norway’s stunning fjords and maritime heritage.
Port Overview
Haugesund is a port city located on the North Sea in Rogaland county, southwestern Norway. Covering approximately 72.7 square kilometers, it ranks as the 28th most populated municipality in Norway, with around 37,855 residents. Strategically positioned on the Karmsundet sound, Haugesund serves as a vital maritime hub for shipbuilding, offshore oil activities, and regional trade. The port’s annual container throughput is modest compared to Norway’s largest ports, typically handling under 50,000 TEU, but its location makes it important for regional logistics and industry.
Facilities & Infrastructure
Haugesund, Norway, is a major maritime hub with extensive cargo and cruise facilities. Its main cargo terminals—Husøy—are among the most advanced in Norway, featuring specialized terminals for containers (including 320 reefer plugs), ro-ro, bulk, general cargo, break bulk, and fisheries. The port boasts four deep-water berths for container ships up to 4,500+ TEU, state-of-the-art cranes (including Scandinavia’s largest mobile harbor crane), floating cranes, and operates 24/7. Road connections are excellent via the E-134 and E-39 networks. For cruise traffic, Garpeskjær quay accommodates the largest ships, with direct access to the city center. Ongoing infrastructure investments ensure high capacity, sustainability, and future growth.
Container Terminals
Haugesund’s container terminal at Husøy features four berths and can accommodate container ships over 4,500 TEU, with an annual capacity projected to reach 80,000 TEU by 2025. The terminal is highly automated, equipped with state-of-the-art cranes and advanced handling systems. Major operators include Karmsund Havn and Sea-Cargo, providing efficient connections to Norway, the UK, and continental Europe. The facility also offers 320 reefer plugs for refrigerated cargo.
Port Services
- Container handling: Facilities for loading and unloading containers at the Haugesund Container Terminal.
- Cargo operations: Stevedoring services for general cargo, bulk, and project cargo, including discharging, loading, and transfer from road to sea.
- Ship services: Provisioning, fuel supply, pilotage, navigation equipment, and medical facilities.
- Warehousing: Secure storage and depot services within the ISPS area for various cargo types.
- Customs: Customs clearance and documentation support for import and export shipments.
Global Connectivity
Haugesund, Norway is a key maritime hub on the country’s southwest coast, strategically positioned between Bergen and Stavanger. The port serves regional industries and connects with major Norwegian ports, as well as the North Sea offshore sector. It handles container, bulk, and offshore cargo, with shipping routes linking to Northern Europe, the UK, and continental markets. Haugesund also offers ferry services to nearby islands, supporting both commercial and passenger traffic across the region.
Port Statistics
Port of Haugesund, Norway – Key Statistics
- TEU throughput: Approximately 25,000 TEU annually
- World ranking: Not ranked among the world’s top container ports
- Number of berths: Data not specified; port classified as medium-sized with multiple cargo piers
- Port area: Not explicitly stated; medium-sized seaport
- Shipping lines: Served by regional shipping lines with connections to Asia, Europe, and North America
