Dublin

1. Dublin Bay boarding — North Channel Inner Pilot boards53°20.4′N 006°03.0′W
2. Dublin Bay boarding — North Channel Outer Pilot boards53°21.4′N 006°00.4′W
3. Dublin Bay boarding — South Channel Inner Pilot boards53°18.7′N 006°03.0′W
4. Dublin Bay boarding — South Channel Outer Pilot boards53°17.3′N 006°00.7′W
5. Dublin Reporting Point I Pilot53°20.3′N 006°06.0′W

Size limits

LOA 330m, draught 10.9m, beam 43m, 83,375DWT.

Water density

1018.

Load line zone

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

Tides

Range 3.4m (springs), 1.9m (neaps), rate variable.

All depths are referred to the Lowest Astronomical Tide (LAT). This level is defined as "the lowest level which can be expected to occur under average meteorological conditions and under any combination of astronomical conditions". This datum is referred to as LAT and is 2.52m below Ordnance Datum Malin Head.

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

Approach

The approach to Dublin is well lit and has easy access. There is a depth across the bar at MLWS of 7.8m LAT. Vessels drawing up to 10.2m can enter the port at HW of normal tides. Vessels drawing up to 7.0m can enter at any state of tide.

Vessels proceeding to the Dublin Bay Buoy, which is a roundabout buoy to be passed on the vessel's port side, should proceed through the Traffic Separation Scheme. There are two approaches to the Dublin Bay Buoy, an inward and outward lane at North Burford and the same at South Burford. For larger craft the South Burford routes should be used.

Deep draught vessels unable to pass to the N of Dublin Bay Lightbuoy may pass to the S, but should notify Dublin Port radio of their intentions.

The inner channel/fairway of the harbour, formed by the straight channel of the River Liffey from the entrance at Poolbeg Lighthouse to Alexandra Basin is 215m wide for the greater part of its length and is maintained at a depth of 7.8m at LAT. The river is quayed for a distance of 5.4km.

Port limits

The port limits include all the waters of the River Liffey below the Matt Talbot Memorial Bridge and as much of the sea westward of the sixth meridian as lies between the parallels of latitude passing through the Baily Lighthouse on the N and through Sorrento Point on the S including all bays, creeks, harbours and all tidal docks within such area.

Traffic schemes and VTS

An Automatic Identification System (AIS) is installed.

Anchorages

An anchorage area in the form of a circle with 1nm diameter is centred 1nm SSW of the Dublin Bay Buoy, with depths at LW from 13.0m-20.0m.

Restrictions

Ringsend Toll Bridge spans the River Liffey approx 2.75nm within the harbour entrance. It is a road bridge having a central lifting span, 30m in length, with a vertical clearance of 2.2m when closed; when open there is no vertical limit.

Lifting Bridge: Located in position 53°20.7'N 006°13.6'W. Call East-Link on VHF Ch 12, 13.

Arrangement for opening must be made in advance at times pre-arranged with the harbour master's office or through port radio station. At least 20 minutes notice is required as the bridge is not permanently manned. The following times should be observed when bridge opening should be avoided: Between 0700-0930hrs (0630hrs if tugs are being used) and 1600-1900hrs.

Vessels in port intending to navigate stern foremost should inform the harbour office (and adjacent vessels) on VHF Ch 12. and navigate on the right hand side of the channel in the direction they are moving.

Gas tankers navigating in the channel are not to proceed against traffic proceeding in the opposite direction. A 0.5nm separation shall be maintained ahead and astern of vessels proceeding in the same direction.

Tugs

Three available. Two fitted with twin Voith Schneider propellers, 35t bollard pull each. Also one conventional tug, 16t bollard pull, fitted with Kort nozzles. These are equipped with VHF Ch 16, 12 13 and 09 and have modern fire pumps.

Mooring

The master of any vessel shall provide his vessel with fenders or other suitable appliances for the protection of the quay wall and/or his own or another vessel.

Charts and publications

BA 1447,1415. Admiralty Pilot NP40, NP286(1).

Communications

VHF: Dublin Pilots: Ch 12. Tel: + 353 1 887 6059.

Harbour Office: Dublin VTS: Ch 16, 12, 13.

Tugs: Ch 09.

Dun Laoghaire Operations: Ch 14.

Health

Pratique is automatic for vessels arriving from Irish or United Kingdom ports. Granting of pratique by radio for vessels arriving from a foreign port is not practised but is under consideration.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificates and Exemption Certificates issued.

Notices and regulations

Scrubbers:

In Dublin the Irish authorities’ Notice No. 21 of 2019 “Prohibition on the Discharge of Exhaust Gas Scrubber Wash Water” states that discharge of washwater is prohibited in waters under Dublin port jurisdiction. Dublin port jurisdiction includes waters from the Matt Talbot Memorial Bridge eastwards to a line from the Baily Lighthouse through the North and South Burford buoys and through Sorrento Point. 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.

ETD:

Vessels outbound or shifting berth should send ETD at least 2 hours 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

Repairs of all kinds can be carried out. Divers are available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at all the quays, delivery rate 60tph.

Bunkering: Available. Facilities are available at the oil jetties for obtaining bunkers from the various oil companies. Fuel is also supplied by road tanker in any part of the port. Delivery rate is 150tph.

Stores: Available

Medical

Dublin.

Crew change

Available by arrangement with local agent.

Transport

Nearest airport: Dublin International Airport, 8km.

Airport facilities: Most facilities.

Nearest railway: A railway line serves the northern side of the river. One berth has a direct rail line.

Working hours

Normally throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

The port of Dublin is situated at the mouth of the River Liffey, in Dublin Bay on the E coast of Ireland.

The port

The largest port in Ireland for cargo handled, freight and passenger services. High volumes of Ro-Ro traffic and six ferry companies operating 17 daily services to the UK. The channel across the bar has a depth of 7.8m at MLWS. There are facilities to handle Ro-Ro, break bulk, liquid/dry bulk and transit cargoes.

Exports include ores, agricultural products, food preparations, peat moss, whiskey and industrial products. Imports include fuel oil, coal, grain, machinery capital goods, chemicals, paper, animal feed, iron and steel.

Traffic

Approx 36,000,000t of cargo, 956,000TEU, 8,000 vessels and 1,700,000 passengers are handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Dublin?

The pilot boards at Dublin Bay boarding — North Channel Inner, 53°20.4′N 006°03.0′W. Dublin has 5 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Dublin in?

Local time at Dublin 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 Dublin?

The deepest berth listed is at Dublin Marine Terminals Limited (MTL): 10.40 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Dublin?

1018.

Which load line zone is Dublin 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 Dublin?

Port State Control at Dublin: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Dublin?

The UN/LOCODE of Dublin is IEDUB.

What crews who called at Dublin 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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