PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Cleveland
Pilot
updated May 2010Not compulsory but recommended.
Key data
updated Oct 2025Size limits
LOA 308.77m, beam 32.01m, draught 8m, 93,641DWT.
Water density
1000.
Tides
Nil.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heidelberg Materials - Cleveland Cement Terminal | — | 210 m | 1 |
| Cleveland Bulk Terminal (CBT) | 8.00 m | 305 m | 1 |
| Port of Cleveland | 8.00 m | 205 m | 7 |
| Ontario Stone Corp. | — | 210 m | 1 |
| Cargill - Whiskey Island Terminal | — | 198 m | 1 |
| Cleveland-Cliffs - Cuyahoga Terminal | — | 210 m | 2 |
| St. Marys Cement | — | 210 m | 1 |
| Lafarge North America | — | — | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Mar 2019Approach
Main channel depth maintained at 8.2m.
Restrictions
Harbour dredged to 8.2m, but can accommodate any vessel able to transit the St Lawrence Seaway.
Tugs
Available.
Mooring
Mooring lines: Uniform thickness throughout, fitted with an eye not less than 2.4m in length and of sufficient strength to check the vessel.
Anchors: Vessels over 110m must have an operational stern anchor. Orange anchor marking buoys of an approved type, fitted with 22m of suitable line, must be secured to all anchors.
Charts and publications
BA 4794.
Reporting before arrival
updated Mar 2019ETA and pre-arrival notices
ETA's are relayed through the ship's agent to port, tugs, Customs, Immigration, stevedore, etc. Inbound vessels should give 6 hours advance notice of their ETA, through the Boston Marine Operator.
Vessels arriving in first US port: Please see country information.
Communications
Vessels calling at Cleveland Harbour can obtain information on river traffic by contacting Great Lakes Towing Co. on VHF Ch 16 or 10 or by radiotelephone through a land station on 800-321-3663.
Documents
Please see country information for details of documentation requirements.
Health
No action initiated unless there is illness onboard.
Ship Sanitation Control Certificates: Please see country information.
Customs and immigration
Immigration: For crew not to be detained onboard each crew member must have a visa in their passport or Seaman's Book.
Notices and regulations
Coastguard Vessel Inspection: Please see country information.
Inspections
Port State Control here: US Coast Guard.
Foreign ships are examined by the US Coast Guard. File the Advance Notice of Arrival 96 hours ahead (33 CFR 160).
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: United States Coast Guard, Office of Compliance. Address: 2100 Second St, SW, Washington DC, 20593, USA. Tel: +1 202 267 2978. Fax: +1 202 267 4858. Email: [email protected]. For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www2.imo.org/ISPSCode.
Port services
updated Oct 2025Repairs
Available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available. Fresh water will be supplied by the Terminal Operator.
Bunkering: Available. Truck/barge delivers may be made at all docks upon prior application to the Terminal Operator who shall designate when where and deliveries may be made. No deliveries will be allowed which will be in conflict with any insurance, fire or Port security regulations.
Medical
Cleveland.
Crew change
Available, arrangements to be made through agent.
Transport
Nearest airport: Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, 15km, Burke Lakefront Airport.
Nearest railway: Three rail links, The Chessie System, Conrail and Norfolk Southern Railway Co.
Working hours
Throughout 24 hours.
About Cleveland
updated Oct 2025Where it is
Cleveland is situated on the southern shore of Lake Erie, 150nm W of the Seaway exit.
The port
Cleveland is the largest port on Lake Erie and the third largest US port in the Great Lakes area. The port's main cargoes are unfinished steel products and bulk materials. There are 12 deep water berths, two of which are river docks, protected by a 9km long breakwater which ensures safe berthing in all weathers.
Traffic
Approx 9,000,000t of cargo and 700 vessels handled annually.
Questions about Cleveland
What are the pilot arrangements at Cleveland?
Not compulsory but recommended.
What time zone is Cleveland in?
Local time at Cleveland is UTC−5. Clocks go to UTC−4 on 14 Mar 2027. Back to UTC−5 on 7 Nov 2027.
What is the maximum draft at Cleveland?
The deepest berth listed is at Cleveland Bulk Terminal (CBT): 8.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Cleveland?
1000.
Who carries out Port State Control at Cleveland?
Port State Control at Cleveland: US Coast Guard.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Cleveland?
The UN/LOCODE of Cleveland is USCLE.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Cleveland 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.
A planning aid, not for navigation. These facts come from public sources and each section shows how old it is. Check with the port, your agent, your ENCs and official publications. Spotted something wrong? Tell us on the feedback board.