Dundee

1. Dundee (River Tay) boarding — Fairway Lighted Buoy Pilot boards56°28.9′N 002°37.3′W
2. Dundee (River Tay) boarding — tankers in ballast / other vessels Pilot boards56°27.3′N 002°45.6′W

Size limits

LOA 265m, Beam 76.2m, Draught 8.5m, 120,000DWT.

Water density

Average 1018, depending on state of tide and rainfall.

Load line zone

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

Tides

Range 5.0m springs, 2.3m neaps.

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

Approach

From the pilot station via the Fairway Buoy to Abertay and S Abertay Buoys. Course is then set to 269° towards Tayport High Lighthouse.

Port limits

From the coast at 56°29'N, E to 002°38'W; S to 56°26'N, W to the coast and all the river to a line joining Invergowrie to Balmerino.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Port Control monitors movement of traffic. Surveillance radar in operation. Vessels in the river Tay are required to report to Forth Tay Navigation Service on VHF Ch 12 when passing the following positions:

Inbound: Fairway Lightbuoy, Abertay Lightbuoy, Lady Lightbuoys and Newcombe Lightbuoy.

Inbound Perth: Clear of the rail bridge.

Outbound from Perth: Entering W limit at Balmerino and when clear of the bridges.

Outbound: Lady Lightbuoys, Abertay Lightbuoy and Fairway Lightbuoy.

Anchorages

There are 3 anchorages for vessels up to 8.5m draught.

Restrictions

Vessels with a draught exceeding 8.0m must arrive at the Fairway Buoy at least 3 hours before HW in readiness for berthing prior to HW.

Provided minimum steerage way can be maintained vessels should not exceed 8kts to the W of Craig Lightbuoy. The limit is 3kts within the docks and tidal basin.

Tugs

Towage is undertaken by licensed tug operator arranged through agent.

Mooring

Flood tide normally sets vessels off wharves. Ebb tides normally sets vessels onto wharves.

Charts and publications

BA 1481. Admiralty Pilot NP54, NP 286(1).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Advise ETA at least 6 hours prior to arrival, with amendments made up to 2 hours before original ETA.

Communications

VHF: To provide information on navigation and safety the port operates a Port Control Service throughout 24 hours on Ch 12. The callsign is "Dundee Harbour Radio".

Health

Free pratique may be granted by Port Health, Tel: +44 1382 434317.

Ship Sanitation Control carried out and Certificates issued.

Customs and immigration

Customs, Tel: +44 1382 313301.

Flags

Carrying dangerous goods "B" flag.

Notices and regulations

Subject to the requirements of maintaining steerage way and control, for vessels within Victoria and Camperdown Docks and the tidal basin, the speed limit is 3kts. Contact "Dundee Harbour Radio" for local navigational warnings.

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: Transport and Security Directorate (TRANSEC) of the Department for Transport.

Position: Head of Maritime Security Operations.

Address: TRANSEC Department for Transport, 5th Floor, Southside, 105 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6DT, United Kingdom

Tel: +44 207 944 2844 (24 hrs)

Fax: +44 207 944 2175

Email: [email protected]

Recognised Security Organisations:

RSO - ISSC Issue: Transec for passenger vessels. MCA for other vessels

RSO - Security Consultant Services: Transec for passenger vessels. MCA for other vessels.

The UK Department for Transport (DfT) is proposing, in line with EU regulations associated with the ISPS Code, to extend maritime security requirements to ships operating in domestic service and to port facilities serving them. The requirements would be based on those applicable to sea going vessels and generally would apply to domestic ships operating in 'sea areas', and which carry over 12 passengers or are over 500GT. Sea going ships which are certified to carry more than 250 passengers and tankers, especially those carrying oil and gas products, are considered as having the potential to be a target for attack.

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

Repairs

Available, through local based companies.

Dry docks

There is no drydock.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Via Port Control, Tel: +44 1382 878140, 24 hour fresh water supply. Delivery by hose from quays at a rate of 30tph.

Bunkering: Bunkering by direct pipeline is readily available for vessels up to 8.0m draught or by road tanker to any vessel. Large quantities of fuel oil can be delivered by coastal tanker subject to 3 or 4 days notice.

Medical

There is a hospital, clinic, optician and dentist available within 3.2km of the port area.

Transport

Nearest airport: Edinburgh, 80km (international). Dundee, 3km (domestic).

Airport facilities: National connections available.

Nearest railway: Dundee, 1.6km (passenger and freight).

Nearest motorway: A90, 3.2km.

Working hours

Normally 0800-1700hrs Mon to Thu; 0800-1600hrs Fri. Overtime worked by arrangement, Mon-Thu 1700-1900hrs, Sat-Sun 0800-1700hrs.

Where it is

Dundee is located at the mouth of the River Tay on the E coast of Scotland.

The port

Forth Ports Dundee a key player in the handling of bulk commodities. Handling a wide and diverse range of products e.g. mineral salt, grains and cereals, fertilisers, iron ore and coal, the port has discharged and loaded vessels with cargoes up to 25,000 tonnes. The Port of Dundee is a major grain handling port on the east coast of Scotland and hosts the largest grain drying facility in the country. The port area consists of 6 working wharves.

Traffic

Approx 500,000t of cargo and 200 vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Dundee?

The pilot boards at Dundee (River Tay) boarding — Fairway Lighted Buoy, 56°28.9′N 002°37.3′W. Dundee has 2 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Dundee in?

Local time at Dundee 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 Dundee?

The deepest berth listed is at Rigs Terminal: 8.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Dundee?

Average 1018, depending on state of tide and rainfall.

Which load line zone is Dundee 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 Dundee?

Port State Control at Dundee: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Dundee?

The UN/LOCODE of Dundee is GBDUN.

What crews who called at Dundee 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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