PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Glasgow
Pilot
updated Aug 2010The port of Glasgow lies within the Inner Pilotage Area of the Clyde and is under the jurisdiction of the Clyde Port Operations Ltd. The area of jurisdiction is between the seaward limit of compulsory pilotage and the landward limit of compulsory pilotage. The seaward limited is defined by an imaginary line commencing at the intersection of the meridian of 005°06.0'W, with the N shore of Loch Striven and then proceeding S to the N shore of the Island of Bute and by the same line of longitude, from the S shore of the Island of Bute to the latitude 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 Inner Pilotage area, any vessel over LOA 60m is subject to compulsory pilotage; in the Outer Pilotage area the limit for exemption is LOA 80m. Ardrossan limit LOA 100m.
Key data
updated Dec 2022Size limits
LOA 224.95m, beam 32.26m, draught 8.7m, 75,484DWT.
Water density
1000-1004.
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 springs, 2.4m neaps.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exolum - Clydebank Terminal | 8.70 m | 152 m | 1 |
| King George V Dock Terminal | — | 225 m | 3 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Jun 2017Approach
Glasgow is approached through the Firth of Clyde and entered through River Channel, the dredged channel of the River Clyde.
River Channel is entered between the Tail of the Bank (55°57.5'N 004°45.5'W) and Clydeport Greenock Ocean Terminal, 370m W. The channel is marked by lightbuoys, light beacons and beacons to Erskine Bridge, thereafter it follows the centreline of the river. From a position 0.2nm within the entrance, to Shieldhall Riverside Quay 16.5nm up river, the channel has maintained depths of between 8.2 and 7.4m. Beyond Shieldhall Riverside Quay depths are not maintained, and Clydeport Estuary Control should be contacted for clearance and for latest depth information. The channel width, which is about 100m for the first 13nm, decreases above Rothesay Dock (55°53.6'N 004°24.0'W) and, in places is as little as 40m.
Caution: Canal and shallow water effects are likely to be experienced in the channel, and it is recommended that speed should not exceed 12kts below Erskine Road Bridge (55°55.2'N 004°27.6'W).
Greenock to Port Glasgow: From a position 0.2nm N of Clydeport Estuary Control Tower (55°57.4'N 004°45.9'W) the track into and along River Channel leads SE then E for about 4nm, within the dredged channel, passing (with positions from Marice Clark Point (55°56.6'N 004°42.8'W):
NE of No 1 Lightbuoy (starboard hand) (2nm WNW), which marks the NW
entrance point of River Channel.
Then SW of No 2 Lightbuoy (port hand) (1.8nm WNW), which marks the NW extremity of the Tail of the Bank and the SE entrance point of River Channel. Tail of the Bank is the W side of the NW extremity of Greenock Bank, which dries in places and extends across the entrance to River Clyde S of a line between Ardmore Head (1.8nm N) and No 2 Lightbuoy. And NE of Clydeport Greenock Ocean Terminal noting that the travelling cranes on this terminal are prominent, then:
Between the buoys and lightbuoys which are moored along both sides of River Channel for the first 10nm and generally mark the 5.0m depth contour rather than the edge of the dredged channel, and NE of East India Harbour (1.3nm W) and Victoria Harbour, adjacent, at the entrance to which stands a light (green mast, 5m in height), then N of the entrance of Garvel Basin (0.8nm WNW) which is marked by a lightbuoy (special) then.
NE of Garvel Embankment (0.3nm WNW), on the NW extremity of which stands a light (mast) then NE of the entrance to Great Harbour, and SW of Cockle Bank (0.4nm NE) which dries in places and extends from River Channel to Ardmore Head (1.8nm N), a peninsula projecting 0.7nm W from the NE entrance point of River Clyde. This peninsula is low, rocky, and covered with grass except on the Hill of Ardmore which is crested with trees, and NNE of Kingston Basin, at Port Glasgow (0.6nm ESE). A light (black and white chequered column, 11m in height) (0.9nm ESE) stands on the NW extremity of Steamboat Quay, 0.5nm SE of the basin. This light, which covers a limited arc only, stands 200m W of another light (black and white chequered tower and Cupola, 8m in height) which stands in the middle of a drying shoal close S of the channel, then:
S of Pillar Bank (1.8nm E) which extends up to 1.3nm S from the N bank of the river and dries. The ruins of Cardross Lighthouse (2nm E) stand near the S edge of the bank.
Port limits
The seaward limits comprise of a line in the Firth of Clyde due E from Corrygills Point, (55°34.3 006°05.0'W) and a line in the Kilbrannan Sound W from Loch Ranza entrance (55°42.6'N 005°17.5'W).
Restrictions
Entry to the river may be restricted by draught.
Erskine Bridge: Crosses the river 10.5nm from the entrance, has a vertical clearance of 55m, reduced to 52m when painting gantries in use.
Tugs
Five tugs of between 1,650-2,440hp are available from Greenock. Contact Clyde Towage Ltd.
Charts and publications
BA 2007, 8278. Admiralty Pilot NP66A, NP286(1).
Reporting before arrival
updated May 2010ETA and pre-arrival notices
When possible vessels inbound should send ETA at least 24 hours in advance or within 1 hour from last port of call, including vessel's nationality, intended approach channel, destination, draught, where pilot is to be embarked and whether an anchorage is required.
Communications
VHF: Contact Clydeport Estuary Control Tower for all matters regarding pilotage and navigation on Ch 16 and 12. Tel: +44 1475 726221, Fax: +44 1475 727006.
Health
Renewal of Ship Sanitation Control and Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates is possible.
Notices and regulations
Port regulations and emergency procedures are handed to the Master by the pilot on boarding any vessel, receipt being acknowledged by Master. On vessels exempt from pilotage, port regulations and emergency procedures will be presented on arrival at the berth.
OBO type vessels are not accepted at King George V Dock.
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 Jun 2017Repairs
Available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: All grades are available by barge and road tanker.
Medical
Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, 1.3km.
Transport
Nearest airport: Glasgow Airport in Greater Glasgow, 7km.
Airport facilities: International and national passenger and freight service.
Nearest railway: Glasgow Central Station in Glasgow, 10km.
Working hours
Normally Mon-Fri 0800-1700hrs and Fri 0800-1400hrs. Overtime can be worked by arrangement.
About Glasgow
updated Jun 2017Where it is
The port facilities of Glasgow are located on both banks of the River Clyde some 18nm above the Firth of Clyde (Tail of the Bank).
The port
The port is part of Clydeport and is comprised of tidal docks and riverside berths handling most types of tankers, bulk carriers and general cargo vessels. All berths are "Safe Aground".
Traffic
Approx 14,700,000t of cargo handled annually.
Questions about Glasgow
What are the pilot arrangements at Glasgow?
The port of Glasgow lies within the Inner Pilotage Area of the Clyde and is under the jurisdiction of the Clyde Port Operations Ltd.
What time zone is Glasgow in?
Local time at Glasgow 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 Glasgow?
The deepest berth listed is at Exolum - Clydebank Terminal: 8.70 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Glasgow?
1000-1004.
Which load line zone is Glasgow 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 Glasgow?
Port State Control at Glasgow: Paris MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Glasgow?
The UN/LOCODE of Glasgow is GBGLW.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Glasgow 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.