PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Felixstowe
Pilot
updated Jan 2014- Haven Pilot Station Pilot boards51°57.0′N 001°34.0′E
The pilot boarding point for inward-bound ships will be within the voluntary pilotage area such that the pilot is boarded in good time before entering the compulsory area. The boarding position will be agreed with Harwich VTS, having due regard to the size and draught of the ship and the prevailing circumstances. For ships arriving from the North via the shipway and small or medium-sized ships from the South, the normal pilot boarding point is the "Cork" pilot station, which is 1.7nm ENE of the Harwich approach buoy. Large or deep-draught vessels will normally be expected to board their pilots at the "Sunk" pilot station.
Boarding and landing will take place from pilot launches operating from Harwich Harbour. The launches will have the words "Harwich Haven Pilots" on the side of the wheelhouse, fly the pilot flag by day and exhibit lights and signals in accordance with Rule 29 of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.
If the pilot launch is unable to operate in the normal locations due to stress of weather, or other unforeseen circumstances, alternative arrangements will be advised by Harwich Pilots or Harwich VTS.
Key data
updated Mar 2025Size limits
LOA 400m, beam 61.5m, draught 15.7m, 281,456DWT
Water density
1025 (salt water).
Load line zone
North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.
Tides
Range 4.0m MHWS, 3.4m MHWN, 1.1m MLWN, 0.4m MLWS.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Felixstowe South Terminal | 15.70 m | 400 m | 3 |
| Trinity | 14.70 m | 400 m | 7 |
| Landguard | — | — | 1 |
| Dooley Ro-Ro Terminal | 9.45 m | 210 m | 2 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Feb 2020Approach
Harwich Deep Water Channel: The deep water channel is generally 0.25nm or more wide, but narrows to 0.2nm close to the entrance and is marked on each side by numbered lightbuoys (special).
It is entered at Harwich Channel No 1 Lightbuoy, fitted with a Racon: At its inner end it merges with the inward and outward traffic lanes to become Harwich Channel. It is maintained at a depth of 14.5m CD.
The inbound traffic lane lies N of the deep water channel and is marked on its N side by Washington, Felixstowe Ledge and Wadgate Ledge Lightbuoys. It merges with the deep water channel at Platters Lightbuoy.
The outbound traffic lane lies S of the deep water channel and is marked on its S side by Cork Spit Lightbuoy where it diverges from the deep water channel and Cork Sand Lightbuoy.
Harwich Channel is the continuation of the approach in a W'ly direction from the merger of the inward and outward lanes with the deep water channel. This part of the entrance is marked by Platters Lightbuoy, Rolling Ground Lightbuoy (51°55.5'N 001°19.9'E) and Beach End Lightbuoy on the N side; and by Pitching Ground Lightbuoy, Inner Ridge Lightbuoy and Landguard Lightbuoy (51°55.3'N 001°19'E) on the S side.
Traffic schemes and VTS
Harwich VTS operates from Harwich Operations Centre on a continuous 24 hour basis. The Centre also provides a co-ordination and communications centre for the Haven Ports Pilotage Service and the pilot boarding and landing activities at the Haven (Inner) Pilot Station and the Sunk (Outer) Pilot Station.
Restrictions
Restricted movements of vessels carrying liquefied gas whilst ferries are arriving/sailing.
Except with the permission of the Harbour Master given not more than 24 hours before the start of the movement, a liquefied gas carrier shall not be moved in the authority's area at any time during any of the following periods in any day, 0500-0700hrs, 1100-1300hrs, 1600-1800hrs, 2100-2359hrs.
Tugs
A range of tug services is available in Harwich Harbour.
Svitzer Towage: Tel: +44 1394 613222, Fax: +44 1394 613018.
Felixarc Marine Ltd: Tel: +44 1394 676497, Fax: +44 1394 674039.
Many shipping companies have contracts with Svitzer Towage or Felixarc Marine Ltd, but either company's tugs will respond to the specific needs of any vessel.
Duty tugs maintain listening watch VHF Ch 71, 16, working Ch 10, 12, 15, 17.
Mooring
Constantly updated information available from Felixstowe Dock Tower on VHF Ch 74 or Harwich Harbour Radio. Moorings parties are provided directly by the Port of Felixstowe under the supervision of the Marine Controller.
Charts and publications
BA 1491, 2052. Admiralty Pilot NP28, NP286(1).
Reporting before arrival
updated Mar 2015ETA and pre-arrival notices
At least 24 hours before arrival or at the time of leaving last port - provisional ETA and pilotage requirement; notification of dangerous substances in transit through Harwich Harbour.
Ships bound for Felixstowe and requiring a Pilot shall notify Harwich Haven Authority eight hours in advance, giving ETA at the "Sunk" or "Cork" Pilot Stations, as appropriate. Also included in the vessel's initial message must be; LOA, GT, Max. Draught, Security Level, Persons on Board, departure port and destination port.
Confirmation of ETA should be given on VHF Ch 9 at least 2 hours before arrival at the Pilot Station. Failure to provide ETA and subsequent confirmation could result in delay to the ship.
In the case of a ship engaged in short-sea trade, the initial ETA may be passed at the time of leaving the last port of call, if passage time is less than 8 hours.
A ship having complied with the above conditions and then having anchored before embarking a pilot, must give Harwich Haven Operations adequate notice of requiring the services of a pilot. Failure to give such notice could result in delay to the ship.
Communications
Marine supervisors communicate direct with vessels when vessels are in close proximity or alongside berths via VHF Ch 74. At other times communications should be through Harwich VTS who will, if required, relay information to Felixstowe.
All vessels of more than 50GT must carry VHF equipment capable of communicating with Harwich VTS and must listen out and report on Ch 71 as required when in transit or at anchor within the Haven.
Customs and immigration
Contact Custom House: Tel: +44 1394 303030; Fax: +44 1394 303332. Immigration: Tel: +44 1394 674915.
Flags
No special requirements.
Notices and regulations
All vessels navigating in any part of the harbour other than seaward of Landguard Point are subject to a speed limit of 8kts over the ground.
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: 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.
Port services
updated Feb 2023Repairs
Available.
Dry docks
There are none available locally.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: Fuel and diesel oil bunkers can be delivered by barge or road tanker.
Medical
Nearest hospital: Ipswich Hospital, 18.3km.
Transport
Nearest airport: Cambridge City Airport, 108km.
Nearest railway: Ipswich (IPS), 21.0km.
Working hours
Throughout 24 hours.
About Felixstowe
updated Mar 2025Where it is
Felixstowe is located at the mouth of Harwich Harbour on the E coast of England.
The port
The port mainly handles containers, Clean Petroleum Product (CPP), breakbulk and Ro-Ro.
Traffic
Approx 23,000,000t of cargo, 1,600,000TEU and 1,600 vessels handled annually.
Questions about Felixstowe
Where does the pilot board at Felixstowe?
The pilot boards at Haven Pilot Station, 51°57.0′N 001°34.0′E.
What time zone is Felixstowe in?
Local time at Felixstowe 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 Felixstowe?
The deepest berth listed is at Felixstowe South Terminal: 15.70 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Felixstowe?
1025 (salt water).
Which load line zone is Felixstowe 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 Felixstowe?
Port State Control at Felixstowe: Paris MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Felixstowe?
The UN/LOCODE of Felixstowe is GBFXT.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Felixstowe 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.