How many lux does a port need?
The values depend on what happens in the area. The table below shows the figures for canals, locks and port facilities from the licht.de brochure licht.wissen 13:
| Area | Illuminance | Uniformity | Colour rendering |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quays (waiting areas) at canals and locks | 10 lx | 0.25 | Ra 20 |
| Gangways and passages for pedestrians only | 10 lx | 0.25 | Ra 20 |
| Lock control and monitoring areas | 20 lx | 0.25 | Ra 20 |
| Cargo handling, loading and unloading | 30 lx | 0.25 | Ra 20 |
| Passenger areas in passenger ports | 50 lx | 0.40 | Ra 20 |
| Coupling of hoses, pipes and ropes | 50 lx | 0.40 | Ra 20 |
| Hazardous points on footpaths and roads | 50 lx | 0.40 | Ra 20 |
Where labels have to be read during loading and unloading, the brochure gives 50 lx. These values are a guide for a first assessment: they come from an older version of DIN EN 12464-2. The current 2025-12 edition differentiates the requirements further, so your design should always follow the current standard.
Which minimum values apply for employees?
Where employees work in the area, the German technical rule ASR A3.4 also applies, with its minimum values for outdoor workplaces:
- Cargo handling areas, loading points and storage areas for general cargo: at least 30 lx.
- Site roads: at least 10 lx up to 30 km/h and 20 lx up to 50 km/h.
- Footpaths on site: at least 5 lx.
Other areas such as gates and car parks are covered in the overview Outdoor lux levels.
ConsultationLet's talk about your project.Lighting calculation and quotation from the manufacturer.Glare towards the water
This is the biggest difference from other outdoor areas. On German federal waterways, Section 34(4) of the Federal Waterways Act says installations must not be open to confusion with navigation signs and must not mislead or obstruct ship masters through glare or reflections. For the design, this means:
- Light on the area, not on the water: floodlights with a shallow tilt and suitable optics, so that as little light as possible falls beyond the edge of the quay.
- Allow for reflections: water reflects, so even light that does not dazzle directly can cause problems.
- Protect control stands: where possible, aim floodlights from the operators' line of sight, not into crane and observation cabins.
- Coordinate early: if the site is on a German federal waterway, discuss the design early with the responsible Waterways and Shipping Office.
Mast height and layout
How an area is lit depends mainly on its size. licht.de distinguishes two cases:
- Smaller areas for general cargo: lighting from the edge with street lights or wide-beam floodlights, mounting heights up to 12 m.
- Large container terminals: high masts with 25 to 35 m mounting height and spacing of 100 to 175 m, so that vehicles and cranes are obstructed as little as possible.
Then there are cranes, where luminaires should be suitable for vibration. Existing masts can often be reused but should be checked structurally first.
From practice
At Carl Spaeter Südwest in Karlsruhe the site includes halls, offices and port areas. The crane lighting had to reach into the ship's hull; for this we used our Series 12 floodlight. The project report gives total savings of 74 % and payback in 23.6 months for the entire site.
For luminaires, design and enquiries, see our page on Port lighting.
LED savings calculatorWhat can your lighting save?Energy costs, CO₂ and payback in just a few minutes.Frequently asked questions
How many lux does a port need?
That depends on the area. As a guide, licht.de gives 10 lx for quays at canals and locks, 20 lx for lock control areas, 30 lx for cargo handling, loading and unloading, and 50 lx for passenger areas and hazardous points. The design must follow the current DIN EN 12464-2.
How bright must a cargo handling area be?
Under the German ASR A3.4, at least 30 lx. Where labels are read during loading and unloading, licht.de gives 50 lx.
May port lighting dazzle shipping?
No. Under Section 34(4) of the German Federal Waterways Act (WaStrG), installations must not mislead or obstruct ship masters through glare or reflections, and must not be open to confusion with navigation signs.
How tall are lighting masts in ports?
According to licht.de, smaller cargo handling areas are often lit from the edge with mounting heights up to 12 m. Large container terminals use high masts of 25 to 35 m.
Are TRiALED luminaires suitable for seaports?
We check that case by case, because salt air places higher demands on housings and fixings. For inland ports and inland cargo handling areas, the Series 12 floodlight is available with IP66 and IK10.
