Kangerlussuaq Harbour

This harbour lies at the head of Kangerlussuaq Fjord, 185 kilometres from the coast. What makes it special is having a fairway into the harbour quay itself, which must regularly be excavated because the meltwater from the icecap brings large quantities of sediment into the fjord.

The fairway
If you arrive at the harbour in a vessel that can dock with the harbour quay, you must sail guided by two markers – leading lights – which mark out the approach.

However, not all ships are able to dock with the quay. The fairway is around 3 metres deep and at lowest tide there are only a couple of metres under the keel. The small village ships which sail the local coasts can dock with the quay but only at high tide.
 
Cruise ships
Every year increasing numbers of cruise ships arrive at the harbour and in the summer season several arrive per week. The harbour staff can, for example, be hired to take suitcases or supplies back and forth to the ships, anchored out in the bay. There are also toilets on the shore which the passengers can use.
 
FacilitiesSmall boats can use the harbour jetty for the collection and deposition of goods and people, but no actual berths are available on it.
 
Out in the bay there are four buoys which are only used for the annual visit of the oil tanker to Kangerlussuaq. Other large ships may also use the buoys on different occasions. However, it’s important to contact the harbour authority and request permission in advance. See the contact details below.
 
The harbour staff operate two landing craft which can each take either two 20-foot containers or one 40-foot container. These are used when the Royal Arctic Line supply ships arrive in the harbour in June and September.
 
At the quay a number of facilities are also available:
 
Sale of fuel
Toilets
Water for private use
Telephone for calling taxis
 
The harbour is served by Grønlands Lufthavnsvæsen (GLV - The Greenland Airport Authority) and the harbour staff always listen to VHF channel 13, which is also the working frequency of the harbour; however, VHF channel 16 may be used as well.

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