PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Finnart
Pilot
updated May 2010Pilotage for the port of Finnart is under the jurisdiction of the Clyde Port Authority. The area of jurisdiction is between the seaward limit of compulsory pilotage and the landward limit of compulsory pilotage. The seaward limit is defined by an imaginary line commencing at the intersection of the line of Long 005°06'W with the N shore of Loch Striven and then proceeding due S to the N shore of the Island of Bute and by the same meridian of longitude, from the S shore of the Island of Bute to the parallel of Gull Point on Little Cumbrae Island, then by a line extending due E to Gull Point, then by a line proceeding in the direction 143° for a distance of 7nm, and then by a line proceeding in the direction 053° to the northern boundary of the harbour of Saltcoats. The landward limit of compulsory pilotage means the W side of Albert Bridge in the City of Glasgow.
The following vessels are subject to compulsory pilotage:
All vessels over LOA 25m carrying in excess of 12 passengers.
All vessels over LOA 80m carrying dangerous substances in bulk and all vessels which are not gas free.
Any other vessel is subject to a pilot depending on the pilotage area and the vessel's LOA. In the upper pilotage area, any vessel over LOA 50m is subject to compulsory pilotage, in the middle pilotage area the limit for exemption is LOA 60m, in the lower pilotage area the limit for exemption is LOA 80m.
Key data
updated Oct 2023Size limits
LOA 284.95m, beam unrestricted, draught 24.2m, 335,297DWT.
Water density
1012.
Load line zone
North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finnart Ocean Terminal | 24.20 m | 285 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 Aug 2023Restrictions
Finnart Marine Guidelines require minimum 0.5nm visibility for berthing/unberthing.
Tugs
Available from Glasgow.
Charts and publications
BA 2131, 3746. Admiralty Pilot NP66A, NP286(1).
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 Aug 2023Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Not Available.
Bunkering: Available.
Medical
Nearest hospital: Vale of Leven District Hospital, 24.8km.
Transport
Nearest airport: Glasgow Airport, 50.4km.
Nearest railway: Garelochhead, 4.9km.
About Finnart
updated Aug 2023Where it is
Finnart is located on the eastern bank of Loch Long.
The port
The port is operated by Ineos/Petrochina to service the nearby tank farm which subsequently serves Ineos refinery at Grangemouth, 86km away.
Questions about Finnart
What are the pilot arrangements at Finnart?
Pilotage for the port of Finnart is under the jurisdiction of the Clyde Port Authority.
What time zone is Finnart in?
Local time at Finnart 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 Finnart?
The deepest berth listed is at Finnart Ocean Terminal: 24.20 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Finnart?
1012.
Which load line zone is Finnart 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 Finnart?
Port State Control at Finnart: Paris MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Finnart?
The UN/LOCODE of Finnart is GBFNT.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Finnart 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.