Major Sea Ports in Norway

Norway is located in Northern Europe, occupying the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula. It shares borders with Sweden to the east, Finland to the northeast, and Russia to the far northeast. Norway is renowned for its extensive coastline along the North Atlantic Ocean, which provides ample opportunities for various types of ports:

  1. Sea Ports: Norway boasts numerous sea ports along its rugged coastline, serving as vital hubs for maritime trade and transportation. Major sea ports include:
    • Port of Oslo: Located in the capital city of Oslo, this port is one of Norway’s busiest, handling a wide range of cargo including containers, oil, and general goods.
    • Port of Bergen: Situated on Norway’s west coast, Bergen is a key port for the export of seafood and serves as a gateway to the Norwegian fjords.
    • Port of Stavanger: Located in southwestern Norway, Stavanger is known for its oil and gas industry, with the port playing a crucial role in supporting offshore activities.
    • Port of Tromsø: Positioned in the Arctic region, Tromsø serves as a vital port for maritime activities in northern Norway.
  2. River Ports: While Norway has rivers, they are generally not navigable for significant distances and do not support extensive river port infrastructure. Consequently, river ports play a minor role in Norway’s transportation network compared to sea ports.
  3. Inland Terminals: Inland terminals in Norway primarily cater to intermodal transportation, integrating road and rail networks to transport cargo efficiently. These terminals are often located near major cities and industrial centers. Examples include:
    • Alnabru Terminal: Located near Oslo, Alnabru is Norway’s largest inland terminal, serving as a key logistics hub for goods distribution in the Oslo metropolitan area.
    • Brattøra Terminal: Situated in Trondheim, Brattøra Terminal handles a variety of cargo including containers, bulk, and general goods.
  4. Border Crossings: Norway has several border crossings with neighboring countries, facilitating land-based trade and transportation. Major border crossings include:
    • Svinesund Bridge: This border crossing connects Norway with Sweden and serves as a vital trade route between the two countries.
    • Storskog-Boris Gleb: Located on the border with Russia, this crossing facilitates trade and travel between Norway and Russia, particularly for goods and people traveling along the E6 highway.

List of Largest Ports in Norway

Port Name Types of Cargo Ships Monthly Arrivals
Port of Bergen Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker, Ro-Ro 600
Port of Oslo Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker, Ro-Ro 500
Port of Stavanger Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker, Ro-Ro 400
Port of Kristiansand Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker, Ro-Ro 300
Port of Trondheim Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker, Ro-Ro 250
Port of Tromsø Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker, Ro-Ro 200
Port of Ålesund Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker, Ro-Ro 180
Port of Narvik Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker, Ro-Ro 150
Port of Haugesund Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker, Ro-Ro 120
Port of Fredrikstad Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker, Ro-Ro 100
Port of Kristiansund Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker, Ro-Ro 80
Port of Molde Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker, Ro-Ro 70
Port of Hammerfest Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker, Ro-Ro 60
Port of Åndalsnes Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker, Ro-Ro 50
Port of Kirkenes Container, Bulk, Oil Tanker, Ro-Ro 40

Major Ports of Norway

1. Port of Oslo

The Port of Oslo is the largest and busiest port in Norway, serving as a major hub for both cargo and passenger transport. Located at the heart of the capital city, the port plays a key role in Norway’s international trade, particularly in sectors such as oil and gas, timber, and industrial goods. It also serves as a center for ferries traveling to neighboring Scandinavian countries. The port is known for its modern facilities, including container terminals, industrial docks, and cruise terminals. Its strategic location and infrastructure make it vital to the Norwegian economy.

City Location: Oslo, Norway
Latitude: 59.9127° N
Longitude: 10.7461° E

Nearby Cities and Road Connections:

City Distance (km) Road Connection
Drammen 40 E6
Bergen 460 E16
Trondheim 500 E6
Lillehammer 180 E6
Fredrikstad 90 E6
Sandefjord 120 E18
Gothenburg (SE) 320 E6

Nearby Railway Stations:

  1. Oslo Central Station (Norway)
  2. Drammen Railway Station (Norway)
  3. Lillehammer Railway Station (Norway)
  4. Fredrikstad Railway Station (Norway)
  5. Sandefjord Railway Station (Norway)

2. Port of Bergen

Bergen is one of Norway’s major ports, located on the country’s west coast. It is the second-largest port in Norway and serves as a significant hub for both international shipping and cruise traffic. The port is vital for the shipping of goods such as seafood, oil, and gas. Bergen is also known for its picturesque harbor, which is a popular tourist destination, especially for cruise ships. The port plays a major role in Norway’s fishing industry, with a large portion of the country’s seafood exports passing through this port.

City Location: Bergen, Norway
Latitude: 60.3929° N
Longitude: 5.3247° E

Nearby Cities and Road Connections:

City Distance (km) Road Connection
Stavanger 210 E39
Haugesund 130 E134
Trondheim 500 E6
Oslo 460 E16
Førde 160 E39
Ålesund 220 E136
Sandnes 200 E39

Nearby Railway Stations:

  1. Bergen Railway Station (Norway)
  2. Sandnes Railway Station (Norway)
  3. Haugesund Railway Station (Norway)
  4. Stavanger Railway Station (Norway)
  5. Trondheim Railway Station (Norway)

3. Port of Stavanger

Stavanger Port is located on Norway’s southwestern coast and is a key center for the oil and gas industry. The port is equipped with specialized infrastructure to handle oil rigs, bulk cargo, and industrial shipments. It also serves as a critical gateway for the export of Norway’s oil and gas resources. Stavanger is one of the country’s most important industrial cities, and its port plays a major role in the export of both energy resources and industrial products.

City Location: Stavanger, Norway
Latitude: 58.9690° N
Longitude: 5.7331° E

Nearby Cities and Road Connections:

City Distance (km) Road Connection
Haugesund 110 E134
Bergen 210 E39
Sandnes 15 E39
Oslo 430 E6
Stavanger 0 E39
Kristiansand 230 E39
Haugesund 120 E134

Nearby Railway Stations:

  1. Stavanger Railway Station (Norway)
  2. Sandnes Railway Station (Norway)
  3. Kristiansand Railway Station (Norway)
  4. Bergen Railway Station (Norway)
  5. Oslo Central Station (Norway)

4. Port of Trondheim

Trondheim Port, located in the central part of Norway, is a major port for both cargo and passenger traffic. It is strategically important for shipping goods to and from Northern Europe. The port handles a wide range of cargo, including timber, machinery, and seafood. Trondheim is known for its rich history and is a vital center for the maritime industry in Norway, with its port serving as an entry point for goods and a departure point for Norwegian exports.

City Location: Trondheim, Norway
Latitude: 63.4305° N
Longitude: 10.3951° E

Nearby Cities and Road Connections:

City Distance (km) Road Connection
Oslo 500 E6
Steinkjer 130 E6
Molde 230 E39
Ålesund 280 E136
Stjørdal 30 E6
Narvik 700 E6
Hammerfest 1,100 E6

Nearby Railway Stations:

  1. Trondheim Railway Station (Norway)
  2. Stjørdal Railway Station (Norway)
  3. Steinkjer Railway Station (Norway)
  4. Narvik Railway Station (Norway)
  5. Molde Railway Station (Norway)

5. Port of Tromsø

Located in the far north of Norway, Tromsø is an important port for Arctic shipping and fishing. The port primarily handles goods related to the fishing industry, with large quantities of seafood being exported. Tromsø is also a major hub for Arctic research and tourism, with cruise ships frequently visiting. The port serves as a gateway to the Arctic, offering access to international markets and serving the region’s offshore oil and gas industries.

City Location: Tromsø, Norway
Latitude: 69.6496° N
Longitude: 18.9560° E

Nearby Cities and Road Connections:

City Distance (km) Road Connection
Alta 300 E6
Narvik 380 E6
Tromsø 0 E6
Harstad 230 E6
Bodø 530 E6
Hammerfest 370 E6
Kirkenes 480 E6

Nearby Railway Stations:

  1. Tromsø Railway Station (Norway)
  2. Narvik Railway Station (Norway)
  3. Alta Railway Station (Norway)
  4. Bodø Railway Station (Norway)
  5. Kirkenes Railway Station (Norway)

6. Port of Kristiansand

Kristiansand is a busy port in southern Norway, known for its shipping and ferry services. It connects Norway with Denmark and Sweden, making it an important transit point for passengers and goods. The port also handles a significant amount of cargo, including industrial products and timber. Kristiansand serves as a critical point for Norway’s exports to Europe, and its location makes it a gateway to the southern part of the country.

City Location: Kristiansand, Norway
Latitude: 58.1467° N
Longitude: 7.9956° E

Nearby Cities and Road Connections:

City Distance (km) Road Connection
Stavanger 230 E39
Oslo 320 E6
Arendal 50 E18
Bergen 400 E39
Drammen 230 E6
Sandefjord 190 E18
Skien 250 E6

Nearby Railway Stations:

  1. Kristiansand Railway Station (Norway)
  2. Stavanger Railway Station (Norway)
  3. Drammen Railway Station (Norway)
  4. Oslo Central Station (Norway)
  5. Arendal Railway Station (Norway)

7. Port of Ålesund

Ålesund Port, located on the western coast of Norway, is a vital hub for the fishing industry. The port handles a significant amount of seafood exports, with large quantities of fish and other seafood products leaving the port each year. Ålesund is also a key point for shipping oil and gas, as well as a center for maritime services and industrial shipping.

City Location: Ålesund, Norway
Latitude: 62.4721° N
Longitude: 6.1549° E

Nearby Cities and Road Connections:

City Distance (km) Road Connection
Molde 50 E136
Trondheim 280 E6
Bergen 375 E39
Åndalsnes 40 E136
Volda 80 E39
Sogndal 130 E16
Geiranger 120 E136

Nearby Railway Stations:

  1. Ålesund Railway Station (Norway)
  2. Molde Railway Station (Norway)
  3. Volda Railway Station (Norway)
  4. Trondheim Railway Station (Norway)
  5. Bergen Railway Station (Norway)

8. Port of Harstad

Harstad Port, located in northern Norway, is a key port for the fishing industry, as well as for cargo shipments. The port plays an important role in connecting Norway’s northern regions with the rest of the country and the world. Harstad is strategically located near the Arctic, making it a vital port for regional trade, as well as for research and tourism.

City Location: Harstad, Norway
Latitude: 68.7928° N
Longitude: 16.5410° E

Nearby Cities and Road Connections:

City Distance (km) Road Connection
Tromsø 280 E6
Narvik 340 E6
Alta 450 E6
Bodø 550 E6
Kirkenes 600 E6
Hammerfest 670 E6
Tromsø 280 E6

Nearby Railway Stations:

  1. Harstad Railway Station (Norway)
  2. Tromsø Railway Station (Norway)
  3. Narvik Railway Station (Norway)
  4. Bodø Railway Station (Norway)
  5. Kirkenes Railway Station (Norway)