Cork

1. Cork Harbor boarding — loaded crude tankers Pilot boards51°43.6′N 008°15.3′W
2. Cork Harbor boarding — vessels over 130m Pilot boards51°45.1′N 008°15.3′W
3. Cork Harbor boarding — vessels under 130m Pilot boards51°50.9′N 008°17.2′W

Size limits

LOA 345.05m, beam 45m, draught 12.9m, 116,715DWT.

Water density

1008.

Load line zone

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

Tides

Mean spring range at Cobh (51°51.0'N 008°18.0'W) approx 3.7m; mean neap range approx 1.9m. Winds from S, and particularly from SE, can raise the water level by up to 1m above the predicted heights.

The tidal rise at the city of Cork ranges from 2m at neaps to 3.9m at springs. Tides in the Lower Harbour range from 1.9m at neaps to 3.7m at springs.

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

Approach

The entrance to Cork Harbour is 0.75nm wide between Roche's Point Light (51°48.0'N 008°15.0'W) on the E side of the Sound and Weaver's Point (0.75nm WNW). The governing depth of water at the harbour entrance is 12.9m at chart datum (CD) which permits fully laden vessels of approx 70,000-90,000DWT to enter the harbour on any HW. An inner bar at the Spit Bank near Cobh is dredged to a depth of 11.2m at CD, which permits vessels of approx 60,000DWT beyond that point to Ringaskiddy Deepwater Terminal. From Horse Head, for a distance of 4nm, the approach channel to Tivoli has a depth of 6.5m at CD while in the channel from Tivoli to the city quays there is a depth of 5.2m CD.

Port limits

The port of Cork's limits extend seaward from Eamonn de Valera Bridge and the Michael Collins Bridge in the City of Cork, to an imaginary straight line drawn between Power Head on the eastern approach to Cork Harbour and Cork Head to the western approach.

Anchorages

Generally, large vessels in excess of 120m, anchor S of Roche's Point. Vessels should not anchor near the underwater gas pipeline. Inside the harbour there is a designated anchorage for vessels up to 107m LOA carrying dangerous cargoes in position 51°50.1'N 008°16.2'W.

OUTER ANCHORAGES:

Outside harbour: a temporary anchorage, in offshore winds, can be obtained in depths of 17.0-18.0m, sand bottom, with Roche's Point Light bearing 034°, and The spire of Templebready Church (1.25nm W of the light) bearing 309°. Care must be taken to avoid anchoring on or near the line of the leading lights which mark the eastern entrance channel.

Lower Harbour: Coasters of a suitable draught will find a secure anchorage to the W of a line joining No 14 and No 16 Lightbuoys (51°50.0'N 008°16.1'W). Larger vessels may anchor in other areas but only after permission has been granted by Cork Harbour Radio.

Hazardous cargoes anchorage: Small vessels, up to 107m in length, carrying hazardous cargoes, may be permitted to enter harbour and to anchor in a specially designated area on the W side of the outer anchorage, W of Nos 12 and 14 Lightbuoys. The anchor berth is in a depth of approx 6m with No 14 Lightbuoy bearing 074° distance 230m. Other vessels are prohibited from using this anchorage.

Restrictions

Controlling depth in the entrance channel is 12.9m.

There are speed limits of 6kts in the Upper Harbour, Lower Harbour and the Owenboy River.

Tugs

There are three tugs operating within the Port of Cork. Tugs must be ordered via vessels local agent. There are two hour notice period for tugs for all vessels arriving and Departing. The tugs operate on a 24hr basis.

Charts and publications

BA 1773, 1777, 1765. US Publication 142. Admiralty Pilot NP40, NP286(1).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

All inbound and outbound vessels are required to report on VHF Ch 12 when passing Lightbuoy No 5. Outbound vessels must indicate intended transit channel, East Channel or West Channel.

Communications

VHF: The port operations and information station is located at Cobh. The station, which is equipped with VHF radio telephone, maintains a 24 hour listening watch on Ch 12, 14 and 16 and it enables ships to obtain up to the minute information regarding movements on the river.

Pilot Operations: Cork Harbour Radio: 16, 12, 14. Tel: +353 21 481 1380. Email: [email protected].

Pilot Vessel: Ch 06, 12, 16.

Whitegate Marine Terminal: Ch 16, 14.

Harbour Masters Office: Tel: +353 21 4273215, E-mail: [email protected]

Health

One copy of Health Declaration Form on arrival.

International quarantine messages may be transmitted by radio to Cork. Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Exemption Certificate issued.

Customs and immigration

Minimal immigration formalities for crew and passengers. Strict Customs requirements.

Notices and regulations

Scrubbers: Discharge of scrubber wash water is prohibited in the port limits. This applies to all vessels berthed at any berth within the port’s jurisdiction and vessels on transit to and from any berth or anchorage. Vessels fitted with open loop scrubbers should carry out the switch to either closed-loop mode or to compliant fuel, well in advance of the ships’s arrival.

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: Maritime Safety Directorate, Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.

Address: Leeson Lane, Dublin 2, Ireland.

Tel: +353 1 678 2000.

Fax: +353 1 678 2349

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

Repairs

Minor repairs can be carried out by local specialised companies a list of which can be obtained via local agents.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at City Quays, National Oil, Ringaskiddy and Cobh Cruise Terminal. Water barges are not available. Shore side water tankers can be organised via vessel agent. Fresh waster is normally requested by vessels agents at time of booking.

Bunkering: Available in the port. Vessels can arrange for bunkers through their port agent or request advice from Harbour Master's Office.

Stores: Available. Ship stores can be ordered via local agents and delivery is available to all facilities.

Medical

Mercy University Hospital, 24km.

Transport

Nearest airport: Cork Airport located at Cork, 29.5km.

Airport facilities: Cork: UK and continent.

Nearest railway: Cork.

Working hours

Normally 0800-1700hrs. Continuous shift on certain cargoes.

Where it is

Cork is located on the River Lee, 15nm from the sea. It incorporates the areas of Tivoli, Cobh, Whitegate and Ringaskiddy.

The port

Cork is the principal port on the S coast of Ireland, being a natural, sheltered deep water harbour and is favoured with an ideal location close to the main shipping lanes to northern Europe.

The port has good cargo handling facilities. There are excellent road and rail connections between the port and the rest of Ireland, thus enabling speedy distribution of cargo.

The port's main exports are; livestock, butter, milk powder, refined and residual petroleum products, urea, ammonia and wood chips. Main imports include; grain, feed stuffs, bananas, molasses, timber, fertilisers, magnesite, salt, manganese ore, coal, crude oil, reformer feed stock, gas, acids, manufactured fertilisers, cement, steel sheet and motor vehicles.

Fully laden Panamax vessels can be handled at Ringaskiddy which is Ireland's only Freeport.

Traffic

Approximate 9,500,000t of cargo, 260,000TEU, 1,400 vessels and 190,000 passengers handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Cork?

The pilot boards at Cork Harbor boarding — loaded crude tankers, 51°43.6′N 008°15.3′W. Cork has 3 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Cork in?

Local time at Cork 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 Cork?

The deepest berth listed is at Cork Container Terminal: 13.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Cork?

1008.

Which load line zone is Cork 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 Cork?

Port State Control at Cork: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Cork?

The UN/LOCODE of Cork is IEORK.

What crews who called at Cork 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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