Grangemouth

1. Grangemouth pilot boarding Pilot boards56°02.3′N 003°38.1′W

Size limits

LOA 184.31m, draught 13.2m, beam 27.4m, 40,000DWT

Water density

Average 1020.

Load line zone

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

Tides

Mean spring range about 4.8m; Mean neap range about 2.6m.

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

Approach

Grangemouth Docks are approached from the E, via the River Forth and entered through an entrance lock (charted axis 062°/242°). From a position at the W end of the approach channel, the track leads 0.3nm SW between the protecting approach jetties and then to the lock entrance.

Lock dimensions: Length 237.7m, width between fenders 29.1m, depth on sill 11.7m at MHWS. The immediate approach to the lock is dredged. Entry is possible 24 hours per day depending on draught. Max draught at MHWS 11.0m; at MHWN 10.6m.

East Cut: Max draught for Grange Dock determined by depth at East Cut, approx 8.2m, width 36m.

Western Channel: West Cut width 18.3m, max vessels size in Western Channel LOA 90m, beam 14m.

Port limits

The port limits are a line joining North Carr Beacon (56°18.0'N 002°34.0'W) and Great Car Beacon and the head of navigation at Kincardine Bridge.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Refer to "Forth Ports" entry.

Anchorages

Bo'ness Anchorage: There are six anchor berths for merchant ships, shown on the chart as Bo'ness, numbered 1 to 6, in the middle of the river off Bridgeness (0.7nm E of Bo'ness). There is an anchorage for small vessels in Grangemouth Roads 0.5nm NE of entrance lock.

Restrictions

The entrance channel is dredged to 6.5m CD, but is subject to occasional silting.

Grangemouth Lock: Full length of 237.7m, width 29.1m and depth of 11.7m over the sill at HW springs. The Harbour Master should be consulted for the latest information on depths.

West Cut: Width 18.3m, max vessels size through cut to Carron Dock is LOA 87m, beam 13.5m, draught 6.4m.

Airdraught: Restriction due to Forth Road and Rail bridges 49.3m above CD.

Tugs

Wijsmuller Marine Services, Grangemouth Tel: +44 1324 482401.

Inbound vessels requiring tugs are met S of Hens and Chickens Buoy.

Charts and publications

BA 741, 737. Admiralty Pilot NP54, NP286(1).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Ships should advise about their ETA at Fairway Lightbuoy (56°03.5'N 003°00'W) to the Forth Navigation Service 24 hours in advance, amending the time if it becomes more than 2 hours in error.

Communications

VHF: Port Operations/Emergency: Ch 14.

Forth Navigation Service: Ch 71, Tel: +44(0)131 552 1420, 24 hours.

Tugs: Ch 10, working channel.

Standard messages

None.

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.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available on all berths at a rate of 30m³/hr.

Bunkering: Fuel, diesel and gasoil available from BP Oils Ltd at oil jetties by line and by road tanker.

Medical

There is a hospital, clinic, dentist and optician available.

Other facilities: Reception of oily waste; Ship Sanitation Control and Exemption Certificates issued.

Transport

Nearest airport: Edinburgh 25km; Glasgow, 64km.

Nearest railway: Falkirk, 10km.

Nearest motorway: M9, 3km.

Working hours

Normally general cargo Mon-Thu 0800-1700hrs, Fri 0800-1600hrs plus overtime shifts available.

Where it is

Grangemouth is situated on the S side of the River Carron, where the latter enters the River Forth.

The port

It is served by an excellent network of motorways and is also rail connected. Petrochemicals, bulk ore cargoes, iron and steel, forest products and containers form the main traffic. Access to the port is available 24 hours a day via a fully impounded dock system with the water level maintained at a constant level at all berths. There are two main dock areas for handling ships; the Eastern Channel where all liquid petrochemical traffic is loaded/discharged and the Grange Dock where dry/bulk, Ro-Ro and container vessels are handled.

Traffic

Approx 150,000TEUs, 9,000,000t of cargo and 1,000 vessels are handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Grangemouth?

The pilot boards at Grangemouth pilot boarding, 56°02.3′N 003°38.1′W.

What time zone is Grangemouth in?

Local time at Grangemouth 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 Grangemouth?

The deepest berth listed is at Exolum - Grangemouth Terminal: 13.20 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Grangemouth?

Average 1020.

Which load line zone is Grangemouth 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 Grangemouth?

Port State Control at Grangemouth: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Grangemouth?

The UN/LOCODE of Grangemouth is GBGRG.

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