Cardiff

Size limits

LOA 185.0m, beam 25.0m, draught 9.0m, 35,000DWT.

Water density

Variable.

Load line zone

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

Tides

Range 11.3m springs, 5.8m neaps.

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

Approach

Cardiff docks are approached through a dredged channel, which is maintained, so far as practicable, at a depth of 0.6m below the outer lock sill level.

There is one entrance through the Queen Alexandra Dock, which can accept vessels of maximum dimension length 198m; beam 27m and draught 10.0m on suitable tides.

Port limits

A line drawn through NE edge of the port; Monkstone Lighthouse; Flat Holm Lighthouse to Lavernock Point.

Anchorages

Outer anchorage: An anchorage may be found on the SE side of Cardiff Grounds between Centre Ledge and Monkstone Rock (51°25'N 003°06'W), in depths of 11.0-15.0m. This anchorage can be affected by strong tidal streams. The bottom is rocky in places.

Good anchorage may be obtained N of Flat Holm (51°23'N 003°07'W), between it and Centre Ledge, in depths of 10.0-18.0m. There is a further anchorage between Flat Holm and New Patch.

Inner anchorage: Cardiff and Penarth Roads (51°26'N 003°08'W) lie on the NW side of Cardiff Grounds and afford anchorage in a limited space, in depths from 6.0 to 10.0m. The S entrance to the roadstead lies over a sand bar with a least depth of 4.1m over it. The anchorage can be crowded at times and is not comfortable in bad weather or a choppy sea.

Two unmarked wrecks with least swept depths of 2.1m and 2.6m over them lie on the E side of the Roads, approx 1.5nm E of Penarth Pier. A patch of mud and rock with a least depth of 1.2m over it lies 0.9nm E of the pier.

Restrictions

The docks are available for the movement of shipping for 7 hours each tide and vessels may enter subject to draught and tidal conditions by arrangement with the Dock Master.

UKC: A requirement of 1.0m (min) under keel clearance is stipulated for all vessels navigating through the dredged approach channel.

Subject to final referral to the Dock and Harbour Master the following dimensions may be used as a guide to the maximum size that can be considered for each dock in Cardiff. Do take note that vessels for Chevron's berth in Roath Dock are restricted to a maximum draft of 9.5m irrespective of beam.

Tugs

Available and may be ordered through ship's agent.

Charts and publications

BA 1182, 1176, 8263. Admiralty Pilot NP37, NP286(1).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Advise ETA 24 hours prior to arrival, stating maximum draught.

Communications

Port Contact: Tel: +44 2920 835025, Fax: +44 2920 835006 and Email: [email protected].

VHF: Port: Ch 68, 09, 13, call Cardiff Radio, 4 hours before to 3 hours after HW.

Barrage Control: Ch 18.

Health

International health regulations are to be observed.

Notices and regulations

Vessels carrying hazardous substances must transmit a notice of entry to Severn VTS prior to arrival.

Tankers must present a tanker check list to the pilot on arrival at the pilot station.

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

All types of repairs available; divers are also available.

Dry docks

None.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Minimet and coastal tanker from Avonmouth/Milford.

Medical

University of Wales Hospital, Heath Park.

Transport

Nearest airport: Cardiff International Airport, (19km).

Airport facilities: One terminal, crew change and airfreight. International and domestic flights available.

Nearest railway: Cardiff Central, main line, (1km), Cardiff Bay (docks branch).

Where it is

Cardiff is located on the N side of the Bristol Channel, on the River Taff estuary.

The port

Cardiff is the main port for Wales. The port is capable of accommodating large vessels and is equipped with modern tanker, cargo and container handling appliances. Through continued diversification it is equipped to handle a wide range of cargoes such as fruit, vegetables, timber, coal, grain, petroleum, chemicals, iron, steel and containers.

Traffic

Approx 2,000,000t of cargo and 280 vessels handled annually.

What time zone is Cardiff in?

Local time at Cardiff 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 Cardiff?

The deepest berth listed is at Bell's Terminal: 9.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Cardiff?

Variable.

Which load line zone is Cardiff 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 Cardiff?

Port State Control at Cardiff: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Cardiff?

The UN/LOCODE of Cardiff is GBCDF.

What crews who called at Cardiff 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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