Belfast

Size limits

LOA 339.8m, beam 40.804m, draught 11.3m, 93,015DWT.

Water density

1012 (inner harbour) to 1024 (outer harbour).

Load line zone

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Tides

Range 3.1m springs, 1.9m neaps.

Tidal streams in the Victoria Channel and the River Lagan: Flood stream is weak, but the ebb stream attains a rate of 1.5 to 2kts at springs.

Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.

Port limits

The S limit of the port is Lagan Bridge. The seaward N limit is a line between Grey Point and Carrickfergus Castle.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Vessels should send a report by email to: [email protected], and should arrive before the vessel enters the port area.

Within the Belfast Port Area, in addition to reporting, vessels underway should maintain a continuous listening watch on VHF Ch 12 and vessels at anchor should maintain a continuous listening watch on Ch 12 and 16.

Anchorages

Safe anchorages, according to size and draught of vessel are available in Belfast Lough E of a line from Carrickfergus to Grey Point.

Anchoring is prohibited within the Victoria Channel and within a distance of 80m outside the line of light beacons which mark each side owing to the existence of submarine cables.

Restrictions

Depths vary from 4.3-10.5m, below harbour datum; depth in approach channels 5.5-9.1m below harbour datum. Harbour datum is Admiralty Chart datum and is 2.01m below Ordnance Datum.

Berthing is permitted throughout 24 hours.

Tugs

There are 2 tugs available, the largest of 3,448hp and 45t bollard pull. Both are equipped with VHF and usually meet a vessel at No 14 Light Beacon in Victoria Channel.

Tugs should be requested through the vessel's agent with a minimum of 2 hours notice.

Charts and publications

BA 1752, 1753, 2198. US Chart 142. Admiralty Pilot NP40, NP286(1).

Communications

VHF: Pilot and Vessel Traffic Service: Ch 12, 16. Callsign "Belfast Harbour Radio". Tel: +44 28 9055 3504. Fax: +44 28 9055 3017. Email: [email protected].

Belfast Lough Pilotage Services: Tel: +44 28 9074 0054. Email: [email protected].

Tugs: Ch 08, 10.

VTS:

Call Sign: Belfast VTS

VHF Frequency: Ch 12

Notices and regulations

The Merchant Shipping (Reporting for Ships Carrying Dangerous and Polluting Goods) Regulation 1995. Dangerous Substances in Harbour Areas Regulations (N Ireland) 1991.

Port State Control here: Paris MOU.

Running now: the Paris and Tokyo MOU concentrated inspection campaign on cargo securing, 1 September to 30 November 2026. Its questions are published: the questionnaire.

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: Transport and Security Directorate (TRANSEC) of the Department for Transport.

Position: Head of Maritime Security Operations.

Address: TRANSEC Department for Transport, 5th Floor, Southside, 105 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6DT, United Kingdom

Tel: +44 207 944 2844 (24 hrs)

Fax: +44 207 944 2175

Email: [email protected]

Recognised Security Organisations:

RSO - ISSC Issue: Transec for passenger vessels. MCA for other vessels

RSO - Security Consultant Services: Transec for passenger vessels. MCA for other vessels.

The UK Department for Transport (DfT) is proposing, in line with EU regulations associated with the ISPS Code, to extend maritime security requirements to ships operating in domestic service and to port facilities serving them. The requirements would be based on those applicable to sea going vessels and generally would apply to domestic ships operating in 'sea areas', and which carry over 12 passengers or are over 500GT. Sea going ships which are certified to carry more than 250 passengers and tankers, especially those carrying oil and gas products, are considered as having the potential to be a target for attack.

For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org.

Repairs

Available, major and minor repairs undertaken.

Dry docks

The Belfast drydock is capable of accommodating vessels up to 215,000DWT. All docks and the repair quay have dedicated cranes.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available, supplied by Belfast Harbour Commissioners.

Bunkering: By road tanker. All types of fuel available at 48 hours notice.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Numerous in the city.

Crew change

Available by arrangement with agent.

Transport

Nearest airport: Belfast International, 27km from city. Belfast City Airport, 5km.

Airport facilities: Direct flights to all parts of the United Kingdom, some continental.

Nearest railway: In the city.

Working hours

24 hours.

Where it is

The port of Belfast is situated at the W end of Belfast Lough, on the E coast of Northern Ireland.

The port

It is the major port of the province and has handling facilities for all types of cargo plus extensive repair services. There are up to 80 ferry sailings a week to mainland UK. The total water area of the harbour is 440ha, consisting of wet docks, basins and drydocks, with a total of 11,674m quayage.

Exports: Agricultural products, livestock, machinery, scrap metal, rope and cordage textiles, manufactured tobacco, oil, motor spirit and ships.

Berthing is permitted throughout 24 hours.

Imports: Building and construction materials, crude oil, motor spirit, chemicals, coal, steel and iron, machinery, timber, raw tobacco, fertilisers, grain, feeding stuffs, fruit, textiles.

Traffic

Approx 18,200,000t of cargo (including 1,000,000t of coal and 2,400,000t of grain), 120,000TEU, 6,000 vessels and 1,700,000 passengers handled annually.

What time zone is Belfast in?

Local time at Belfast is UTC+0. Clocks go to UTC+1 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC+0 on 31 Oct 2027.

What is the maximum draft at Belfast?

The deepest berth listed is at Puma Energy Terminal: 11.30 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Belfast?

1012 (inner harbour) to 1024 (outer harbour).

Which load line zone is Belfast in?

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Who carries out Port State Control at Belfast?

Port State Control at Belfast: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Belfast?

The UN/LOCODE of Belfast is GBBEL.

What crews who called at Belfast say: pilot boarding, the agent's papers, inspections, shore leave. Each tip is shown with the writer's rank and ship type, and an AI summary sits on top once there are three or more.

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