Drogheda

1. Drogheda pilot boarding place Pilot boards53°43.5′N 006°11.8′W
2. Drogheda pilot boarding position (1.5 nm E of Aleria Light) Pilot boards53°43.2′N 006°18.3′W

Size limits

LOA 130.22m, draught 6.5m, beam 17.0m, 8,334DWT

Water density

Brackish.

Load line zone

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

Tides

Range 1.6m.

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

Approach

Directions for River Boyne: The depths on the bar are liable to change and no vessel should therefore enter without local knowledge.

Entrance: From the pilot boarding ground; approx 1nm E of Aleria Light, river entrance is approached from the E in the white sector (269.5°-270.5°) of the port approach direction light. Then the route leads between the training walls passing N of Lyons Light (0.5nm ESE) which stands on the seaward end of South Training Wall, then:

S of Aleria Light (black stone beacon) (0.5nm E) which stands at the seaward extremity of North Training Wall. The channel through the River Boyne leads to the deep water port terminal at Tom Roes Point and the inner port at the town of Drogheda, between light beacons (lateral) situated at frequent intervals on each side of the river; they stand outside the dredged channel. The channel from sea to the deepwater terminal is maintained 2.2m CD, and to the inner port at the town of Drogheda 0.8m CD.

Port limits

From the town of Drogheda to the sea at Mornington (currently under ministerial revision).

Anchorages

Ships awaiting entry should anchor 1.5nm off "Aleria" Outer Beacon on the leading lights, in the designated charted anchorage.

Restrictions

Boyne viaduct (53°43.0'N 006°20.0'W) carries the railway over the river near the E end of Drogheda Harbour. It has a vertical clearance of 27m.

There is a turning area, marked by reflective posts, between Tom Roe's Terminal and Tom Roe's Point, max length of vessel 120m. Vessels up to 100m can swing at the town quays.

Tugs

On request with notice.

Mooring

Vessels moored at the deep water terminal at Tom Roe's Point remain afloat in a dredged pocket with 6.0m at CD. At all other berths vessels take the ground in soft level mud at LW.

Charts and publications

BA 1431. Admiralty Pilot NP40, NP286(1).

Communications

VHF: Ch 11 (working) and 16 (calling and safety). Watch is maintained on Ch 11, Mon-Fri 0900-1700hrs.

Health

Renewal of Ship Sanitation Control Certificate and Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificate possible.

Customs and immigration

Clearance is required for non EU vessels.

Flags

Irish courtesy flag and "B" flag for IMDG cargoes.

Notices and regulations

All vessels must comply with port bylaws.

All vessels over 100m LOA require Harbour Master approval in advance.

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 undertaken.

Dry docks

None.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at quays.

Bunkering: Fuel by road tanker.

Medical

Drogheda.

Crew change

Possible through agent.

Transport

Nearest airport: Dublin, 40km.

Airport facilities: International.

Nearest railway: Drogheda.

Working hours

Mon-Fri 0800-1730hrs. Overtime available on request.

Where it is

Drogheda is situated on the River Boyne, 4.5 miles from the sea.

The port

A commercial multi-model port of international and national regional importance also providing relief to Dublin port.

Imports/exports are containers, cement, LPG, paper, steel, timber, grain and general cargo.

Traffic

Approx 1,300,000t of cargo handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Drogheda?

The pilot boards at Drogheda pilot boarding place, 53°43.5′N 006°11.8′W. Drogheda has 2 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Drogheda in?

Local time at Drogheda 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 Drogheda?

The deepest berth listed is at Tom Roes Point Terminal: 6.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Drogheda?

Brackish.

Which load line zone is Drogheda 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 Drogheda?

Port State Control at Drogheda: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Drogheda?

The UN/LOCODE of Drogheda is IEDRO.

What crews who called at Drogheda 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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