If you are planning for sea freight to/from Iceland, then you must identify a port that is convenient.

That is, you should know the name of the port, port code, location and its ability to handle your exports or imports.

In this article, we explore all possible ports in Iceland you can use to transport your goods. Let’s dive right in:

Busiest Ports in Iceland

Iceland seaports continue to be the fabric upon which the country thrives. This article will cover the busiest, less busy, capacity handling, and other vital details of the various seaports in Iceland. Read on…

1. Reykjavik Port (Sundahöfn)

Location: In the Southwestern Part of Iceland along the Faxaflói Bay, Reykjavik
Port Code: ISREY
Handling Capacity: Can handle about 1 million tons of cargo annually.
Management: Managed by Reykjavik Harbor Authority (Reykjavikurhöfn).

The Reykjavik Port is the main port or pathway for cruise ships, container shipping, and ferry services. This has been so since it was established in 1913. It is beneficial to the country in both tourism and commercial shipping.

No wonder each year, there are thousands of tourists from all over the world visiting via cruise ships. Also, it handles containers, bulk materials, and general cargo. For seafood exportation, this port is the major hub and this keeps pushing the fishing industry of Iceland to the top.

2. Akureyri Port

Location: On the North Coast of Iceland, along the Eyjafjordur fjord, Akureyri
Port Code: ISAEY
Handling Capacity: Handles about 500,000 tons of cargo yearly.
Management: Akureyri Port Authority (Akureyrarhöfn)

Since 1779, the port has served as the ideal exportation hub for bulk cargo, containers, also, seafood. During summer months, it serves cruise ships. This adds to the tourism benefit the port brings. Where the import and export of goods within the Northern Region is concerned, the port is a main pathway. Many tourists from all over the world love to visit the port due to its unique facilities for cruise ships.

3. Isafjordur Port

Location: In the Westfjords Region, Isafjordur
Port Code: ISISF
Handling Capacity: Can handle about 50,000 tons yearly.
Management: Port of Isafjordur Management (Isafjardarbær)

The port serves as the major port for the Westfjords Area or Region. It is located ideally to enhance the seafood and local goods exportation in the region. During summer, it has some level of cruise ship traffic. The port is a major hub for the fishing industry in Iceland since 1750.

4. Hafnarfjörður Port

Location: South of Reykjavik, Hafnarfjörður
Port Code: ISHFN
Handling Capacity: Is able to handle around 200,000 tons yearly.
Management: HafnarfjörðurHabor Authority (Hafnarfjarðarhöfn)

Hafnarfjörður Port is the main hub for logistics trading in the region. The port pushes tourism as it serves as a base for cruise ships and ferries, handles different goods such as construction materials, and industrial products.

It is at the right location this makes it an easy to access port and makes doing business through this port very easy. Since 1901, it has made the construction industry in the region thrive.

5. Grindavík Port

Location: On the Southern Coast of the Reykjanes Peninsula, Grindavík
Port Code: ISGVI
Handling Capacity: Handles about 100,000 tons each year.
Management: Grindavík Harbor Authority (Grindavíkurbær)

Established in 1874, Grindavík Port has played a major role in pushing the fishing industry of the region to the fore. The economy of the region has experienced great rise due to the port. For tourists who want to experience the Blue Lagoon, this port is where to go through. Also, the port is famous for the exportation of fresh seafood to other regions and other countries most times.

6. Vestmannaeyjar (Westman Islands) Port

Location: On the South of the Mainland, Heimaey Island, Westman Islands
Port Code: ISVMS
Handling Capacity: Is able to handle around 200,000 tons of cargo yearly.
Management: Port of Vestmannaeyjar (Vestmannaeyjahöfn)

Since it was established in the year 1896, Vestmannaeyjar Port has worked its way into becoming the main linking point into the Westman Islands. It plays a major role in the tourism of the region. Also, it serves cargo, passenger services, and ferry traffic. Vestmannaeyjar Port handles major quantities of seafood exports and fish products.

7. Seydisfjordur Port

Location: In the Eastern fjords of Iceland, Seydisfjordur
Port Code: ISSEY
Handling Capacity: Has capacity to handle 50,000 tons of cargo each year as well as industrial goods and commercial products.
Management: Port of Seydisfjordur (Seydisfjarðarhöfn)

Seydisfjordur port plays a major role in international ferry traffic between Iceland and Europe (mainland). Due to the picturesque location of the port, there are quite a number of cruise ships that visit from time to time. Also, the port handles different cargo such as building materials and stands as the main ferry terminal for traffic to Norway and Denmark. It has helped to boost the tourism of the region since 1882.

8. Höfn Port

Location: In Southeastern Iceland closer to the Vatnajökull glacier, Höfn
Port Code: ISHOF
Handling Capacity: Handles around 100,000 tons of cargo annually with major focus on general freight and seafood.
Management: Port of Höfn (Höfnin)

Höfn port since 1985 has handled containerized goods, general cargo, and fish exports. It takes center stage where the movement of goods from the region to other regions are nearby countries are concerned. Also, it is located to one of the largest fishing grounds in Iceland.

9. Port of Akranes

Location: To the North of Reykjavik, along the shores of Faxaflói Bay, Akranes
Port Code: ISAKR
Handling Capacity: Can handle about 80,000 tons of cargo as well as fish products and bulk materials.
Management: Akranes Port Authority.

Akranes Port stands as a major transportation connection between Reykjavik and Iceland’s western regions. The port easily handles fish products, bulk cargo, and containers. Established in 1942, the port has stuck to its lead in being mainly a ferry and cargo terminal handling the right products and goods.

10. Port of Grundartangi

Location: Close to the town of Borgarnes in Western Iceland, Grundartangi
Port Code: ISGTG
Handling Capacity: Handles about 1 million tons yearly of bulk cargo.
Management: Grundartangi Port Authority

Grundartangi Port since 1968 has been handling raw materials for heavy industries, especially aluminum production in the region. The port handles the shipment of raw materials such as alumina and serves as the main industrial port for Western Iceland.

11. Eskifjörður Port

Location: In the Fjord Region of the Eastfjords, Eskifjörður
Port Code: ISESK
Handling Capacity: Can handle about 100,000 tons of cargo each year.
Management: Eskifjörður Port Authority

The Eskifjörður Port is important to the economy because of its thriving fishing industry. The port is situated closer to major fish processing plants. It handles seafood exports and fishing vessels not forgetting some cruise ships during summer.

12. Port of Þorlákshöfn

Location: Near the town of Þorlákshöfn, on the Southern Coast of Iceland, Þorlákshöfn
Port Code: ISTHO
Handling Capacity: Handles approximately 500,000 tons of cargo each year.
Management: Port Authority of Þorlákshöfn

Þorlákshöfn Port also known as the Port of Thorlakshofn is the major transportation point for the region. This is mostly for exporting agricultural products like diary and meat products. Also, it handles passenger ferries between the country and Heimaey (Westman Islands). Other cargo it handles are containers, ferries, general cargo, livestock shipments, and more. Þorlákshöfn Port is a major point of tourism in Iceland.

13. Port of Keflavikurkaupstadur

Location: In Southwestern Iceland on the Reykjanes Peninsula, Keflavikurkaupstadur
Port Code: ISKFK
Handling Capacity: Handles from 2 to 3 million tons of cargo yearly.
Management: Reykjanes Port Authority (Reykjanesbær)

Keflavikurkaupstadur Port is shortened mostly as Keflavik Port. In the world of trading internationally, this port plays a major role. It has helped to put Iceland on the map for importing and exporting due to its unique facilities and handling capacity. Also, it is extremely vital where tourism is concerned as it is close to the Blue Lagoon Geothermal Spa and Reykjavik.

Less Busy Ports

· Borgarnes Port

Borgarnes Port located in the Western part of Iceland serves primarily small ferry traffic and cargo. It was established in 1947.

· Ólafsvík Port

Ólafsvík Port which is located on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula is a port in Iceland that handles some amount of passenger traffic and fishing vessels.

· Stykkishólmur Port

Stykkishólmur Port serves mainly cargo ships, passenger ferries, and fishing vessels. It is the gateway port for ferries to Brjánslækur and Westfjords.

· Vopnafjörður Port

Vopnafjörður port plays a major role in the region ideally for trawlers in the fishing industry. It is used many by fishing vessels and some freight.

· Neskaupstaður Port

Neskaupstaður Port is used mainly for passenger services, fishing vessels and some cargo services. It is a valuable hum for seafood exports in the area of fishing and processing.

· Grímsey Port

Grímsey Port mainly handles fishing vessels, some cargo, including passenger ferries. It is famous due to its location on the Arctic Circle. This makes it an ideal tourist location or destination.

· Húsavík Port

Húsavík Port is used ideally to handle cargo, fishing vessels, and for tourism (whale-watching tours). It is a hub that is really growing in the marine research and tourism sectors.

· Port of Reydarfjordur

The Port of Reydarfjordur is perfect for handling bulk shipments, fishing, and cargo. It is a valuable port for industrial purposes in Iceland, mainly for heavy cargo and the production of aluminum.

· Port of Dalvik

The Port of Dalvik mainly serves cargo, passenger ferries, and fishing vessels. It is also famous for its fishing industry with regular ferry links to Grimsey Island.

FAQs

1. How many Cruise Ports are in Iceland?

There are 10 major cruise ports.

2. Which Port is Busiest in Iceland?

Port of Reykjavik

3. What is the Port Code of the Busiest Port in Iceland?

ISREK

Conclusion

Considering all these details, it should be easier for you to know which ports will work for your business idea. Also, get to know more about the different ports to make your dealings across countries easier.

For all your shipping from China to Iceland, Bansar is your trusted partner.

More Resources:

Calculating Sea Freight Rates with FCL and LCL – Source: BANSAR

Calculating Freight Cost – Source: BANSAR