FIRAA Port Code Lookup
Total 1 ports of FIRAA
Raahe Port is the seaport of Raahe, in the city of Raahein Finland. Overseas routes include Europe, Port code is FIRAA.
Port Overview
Raahe Port (UN/LOCODE: FIRAA) is a Finnish seaport on the western coast of Finland at approximately 64.650000°N, 24.4166667°E, facing the Gulf of Bothnia and about 30 nautical miles southwest of Oulu. It is a year-round industrial and general cargo port rather than a container-focused hub. The port includes the northern Rautaruukki area serving steel-related products, the southwestern Lapaluoto area for bulk cargo, and Helmi Pier, reached through a short side channel, for iron ore discharge. A reported 355-metre deep-water quay and a channel deepening from 8.0 metres to 10.0 metres support project, bulk and industrial cargo planning; final suitability remains dependent on vessel particulars and current nautical restrictions. Our service team uses Raahe as a Finland import/export gateway where rail and road connectivity, ice-season planning and cargo-specific terminal coordination are central to execution.
| Port code | FIRAA |
|---|---|
| Location | Raahe, Finland; Gulf of Bothnia |
| Coordinates | 64.650000°N, 24.4166667°E |
| Port profile | Industrial seaport handling steel, bulk, timber, containers and project-related cargo |
Key Highlights
Facilities & Services
- Berthing areas: The port’s three operating areas are associated with steel products, bulk cargo and iron ore discharge. Berth allocation must be matched to cargo and vessel characteristics.
- Deep-water access: The supplied port record describes a 355-metre deep-water quay and a channel improvement from 8.0 metres to 10.0 metres. Loading restrictions, UKC, draft and seasonal notices must be checked for each call.
- Bulk and project cargo: Lapaluoto and the industrial berths are relevant for bulk, steel and heavy cargo operations; lifting, laydown and handling arrangements should be confirmed directly for the shipment.
- Container handling: Containers are handled, but equipment, empty-unit availability, reefer power and cut-off arrangements should be secured case by case rather than assumed.
- Inland collection: Road and rail are available as important hinterland modes. Our service team coordinates terminal release, trucking or rail slots, axle-weight limits and delivery appointments before dispatch.
Routes & Transit Times
- Typical trade pattern: Raahe is suited to Finland–Northern Europe, Baltic and North Sea cargo flows, with onward connections arranged through the actual carrier or a confirmed transshipment gateway. Service scope varies by sailing plan.
- Industrial supply chains: Iron ore, coal, limestone, steel and timber movements are generally planned around vessel windows and terminal production schedules rather than standard weekly container patterns.
- Transit planning: Transit time depends on origin, transshipment, vessel rotation, ice conditions, berth congestion, cargo readiness and inland delivery distance. Our team provides a shipment-specific schedule only after carrier and terminal confirmation.
- Winter factor: Gulf of Bothnia ice conditions may influence sailing speed, ice-class requirements, convoy arrangements or arrival sequencing. Buffer time should be built into time-sensitive cargo plans.
Hinterland & Key Cargo
Operations & Compliance
- Cut-off control: Booking, shipping instructions, VGM, customs data, dangerous-goods documents and terminal receiving cut-offs may differ by vessel, berth and cargo type. Our service team obtains the operative deadlines instead of applying a generic port cut-off.
- Dangerous goods: Coal, fuel and certain industrial materials may fall under dangerous-goods or environmentally controlled regimes. UN number, proper shipping name, class, packing group, flash point and emergency-contact details must be checked before acceptance.
- Customs and inspection: Commercial invoice, packing list, transport document, origin information and commodity classification should be consistent. Customs inspection or terminal examination can require extra handling time and appointment coordination.
- Heavy and oversized cargo: Confirm gross mass, dimensions, centre of gravity, lifting points, axle loads, route permits and delivery-site access before booking. Port acceptance does not automatically confirm inland road feasibility.
Shipping Tips
- Send cargo description, HS classification, package dimensions, gross weight, loading photos and preferred delivery date to our service team before requesting a firm sailing option.
- For steel, timber and machinery, specify bundle or unit dimensions, lifting points, moisture sensitivity and lashing requirements; do not rely on standard container or breakbulk assumptions.
- For bulk or regulated cargo, prepare the safety data sheet, cargo declaration, moisture information and any applicable dangerous-goods details before terminal acceptance is requested.
- Use a schedule with winter and inspection buffers. If a container frequency or equipment type is unsuitable, our team can evaluate a confirmed alternative gateway or a road/rail combination subject to cost and capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can Raahe handle container shipments?
- Yes, containers are included in the port’s reported cargo profile. However, Raahe should not be treated as a high-frequency container hub without checking the actual carrier rotation, equipment availability, cut-offs and onward connection for the required sailing.
- Which port area should be nominated for an industrial shipment?
- It depends on the cargo. Rautaruukki is associated with steel-works products, Lapaluoto with bulk cargoes and Helmi Pier with iron ore discharge in the supplied port description. Our team confirms the operative berth and terminal before booking.
- Is Raahe suitable for heavy or oversized cargo?
- It can be considered for industrial and project cargo, but suitability depends on berth availability, vessel draft, lifting arrangements, cargo dimensions and the inland route. A technical cargo sheet and handling plan are required before commitment.
- How should winter delivery risk be managed?
- Allow schedule contingency for Gulf of Bothnia ice conditions and coordinate vessel, terminal, truck and rail interfaces early. The final plan should follow the carrier’s sailing confirmation and current navigation information.
- What documents should be sent first?
- Provide the commercial invoice, packing list, cargo description, HS code, dimensions, gross weight, origin details and any dangerous-goods or safety-data documentation. VGM and shipping instructions must then meet the confirmed carrier and terminal deadlines.
Data Sources & Provenance
Port code, name, location, coordinates, operating-area description, cargo profile and the reported annual figures in this module are based on the supplied FIRAA port record. The record reports approximately 852 vessels, 5,750,000 tonnes of cargo and 4,579 TEU annually; these figures are presented as supplied and should be refreshed against current port statistics before use in a contract or capacity decision.
For operational verification, our service team recommends checking the port operator’s current notices and berth information through portofraahe.fi, Finnish transport and navigation information through vayla.fi, national statistics through stat.fi, and customs requirements through tulli.fi.
Port depths, berth acceptance, vessel restrictions, schedules, cargo cut-offs, customs procedures and inland capacity are time-sensitive. The applicable carrier, terminal and Finnish authority instructions prevailing at the time of shipment take precedence.