PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Dundalk
Pilot
updated Aug 2010Compulsory between Dunany Point and Cooley Head. Pilots are on station only when ship movements are expected. Pilot station Tel: +353 42 34096. Pilots are available from 3 hours before to 3 hours after HW.
Send ETA message to agent at least 24 hours prior to arrival and contact the harbour office on VHF Ch 14 on arrival in Dundalk Bay. Pilot normally boards 1.5nm SSE of Pile Light (54°58.6'N 006°17.7'W). The pilot boat is a "Lochin 33" with a speed of 16kts.
Key data
updated Nov 2018Size limits
LOA 120m; draught 5.0m (springs), 4.00m (neaps); 3,200DWT.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.
Tides
Range 4.7m (springs), 2.6m (neaps). MHWS 5.1m, MHWN 4.2m.
Tidal streams: The main N going and S going streams off the coast flow round Dundalk Bay and are weak.
Tidal streams in Castletown River are not normally strong except after heavy rains, when the outgoing stream may run with some strength.
Off Soldiers Point (1nm E of Dundalk) they begin as follows:
Interval from HW
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dry Cargo Terminal | 5.00 m | 120 m | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Nov 2018Approach
An 8km approach channel leads from Dundalk Bay over a bar with a min depth of 0.2m CD through the estuary of Castletown River. The channel is well marked by light beacons and runs for most of its length between training walls, wide of 60.0m. Navigation in the river is restricted to the periods around HW.
Port limits
The port limits extend inshore of Dunany Point and Cooley Point, bounded as follows:
W limit: Dundalk Bridge (54°00.7'N 006°24.1'W) at the W end of the harbour.
E limit: A line drawn from Dunany Point (53°52.0'N 006°14.0'W), the S entrance point of Dundalk Bay, to Cooley Point (8nm NNE).
Anchorages
The recommended anchorage for vessels awaiting tide is 2nm SE of Pile Light in depths of 7.0-8.0m, fine sand or approx 1nm farther ESE in depths of 10.0-11.0m.
Restrictions
Max draught 4.8m or draught equal to tidal height at Soldiers Point. Prevailing wind and atmospheric pressure may significantly increase or decrease tidal height. Entrance is restricted to 2 hours before to 1 hour after HW.
Tugs
Available with 12 hours notice.
Mooring
Contact pilot station on Ch 14 to request for mooring men.
Charts and publications
BA 1431, 44. Admiralty Pilot NP40, NP286(1).
Reporting before arrival
updated Nov 2018ETA and pre-arrival notices
ETA should be advised 24 hours prior to arrival. Vessel agents should update ETA 4 hours before arrival with fore and aft draughts and LOA.
Communications
VHF: Port & Pilots: Ch 16, 14.
Tel: +353 42 933 4096
Fax: +353 42 933 5481
Inspections
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
Port services
updated May 2010Repairs
Limited repairs available and divers.
Dry docks
Drydock available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: Facilities are available from Texaco, Shell, Esso, CCO and Delta.
Medical
Louth County Hospital, 3.2km.
Crew change
Possible.
Transport
Nearest airport: Dublin, 75km S. Belfast, 80km N.
Nearest railway: Dundalk, 1.6km.
Working hours
Normally 0800-1700hrs. Other hours on request.
About Dundalk
updated Nov 2018Where it is
Dundalk is a small port near the mouth of Castletown River, equidistant between Dublin and Belfast, both cities being 84km away.
The port
The port handles general cargo, dry bulk and liquid cargo.
Questions about Dundalk
What are the pilot arrangements at Dundalk?
Compulsory between Dunany Point and Cooley Head.
What time zone is Dundalk in?
Local time at Dundalk 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 Dundalk?
The deepest berth listed is at Dry Cargo Terminal: 5.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Dundalk?
1025.
Which load line zone is Dundalk 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 Dundalk?
Port State Control at Dundalk: Paris MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Dundalk?
The UN/LOCODE of Dundalk is IEDDK.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Dundalk 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.