PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Greenock
Pilot
updated Aug 2019Vessels requiring a pilot should give a minimum of 6 hours advance notice of estimated arrival time and 6 hours advance notice of departure or intention to shift within the Port. Failure to provide such notice or failure to arrive, depart or shift within 2 hours of the notified time will be penalised with a specified charge. Pilots must be requested via portlinks.
Pilotage for the port of Greenock is under the jurisdiction of the Clyde Port Authority. The area of jurisdiction applies for compulsory pilotage are as following:
The Seaward Limit: Imaginary line commencing at the intersection of the line of Longitude 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 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 (T) 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: W side of Albert Bridge in the City of Glasgow.
The Inner Pilotage Area: Part of the river and Firth of Clyde including Greenock. The navigable river channels, Gareloch, Loch Long and Loch Goil contained within an imaginary line from Kempock Point proceeding in the direction 295° to Strone Point
The Outer pilotage Area: Part of the Firth of Clyde, Holy Loch and Loch Striven within the area bounded by an imaginary line from Kempock Point proceeding in the
direction 295°(T) to Strone Point and The Seaward Limit of Compulsory Pilotage.
Compulsory Pilotage District for All Vessels: Part of the area of jurisdiction of the Clyde Port Authority Order Confirmation Act 1969 and subsequent amendment(s) contained between the Seaward Limits of Compulsory Pilotage and the Landward Limit of Compulsory Pilotage.
The following vessels are subject to compulsory pilotage:
All vessels over LOA 25m
All vessel carrying carrying in excess of 12 passengers.
All vessels over LOA 80m carrying dangerous substances in bulk and all vessels which are not gas free.
Timetabled ferry/passenger vessels services operating within the Clyde Port Authority area of jurisdiction.
Any other vessel is subject to a pilot depending on the pilotage area and the vessel's LOA.
Key data
updated Jul 2024Size limits
Draught 11.5m, LOA 400m, 85832DWT.
Greenock Ocean Terminal and Great Harbour, Repair Quay: beam unrestricted.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.
Tides
Tidal range: 3.1m springs, 1.8m neap.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenock Ocean Terminal | 11.50 m | 400 m | 1 |
| Great Harbour | — | — | 1 |
| Greenock Ocean Terminal Cruise | — | 293 m | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Jul 2024Approach
The dredged channel of the River Clyde, known as River Channel, is entered between the Tail of the Bank (55°57.5'N 004°45.5'W) and Clydeport Greenock Ocean Terminal, 0.2nm W. For the first 3nm this channel closely follows the S shore before easing towards the centre line of the river, with drying flats on both sides, which has a total width of 1nm at 5nm from the entrance. This width reduces to 0.2nm at the Mile 9 mark after which it has the character of an island river. From position, 0.2nm within the entrance, to a position 18nm up river, 1nm below Kingston Bridge, the channel has maintained depths of between 8.2-6.9m which generally decrease with distance up river, except for depths of 8.2-8.1m between 2nm and 6nm from the entrance. A channel width, which is approx 100m for the first 13nm, decreases above Rothesay Dock (55°53.5'N 004°24.3'W) and in places, is as little as 40m.
The channel is buoyed from Greenock to Glasgow.
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) and 8kts above this bridge.
Port limits
The seaward limits comprise a line in the Firth of Clyde due E from Corrygills Pt (55°34.3N 005°06.5'W) and a line in Kilbrannan Sound due W from Loch Ranza entrance (55°42.6'N 005°17.5'W).
Anchorages
Anchorage A: Established between the Tail of the Bank (55°57'N 004°45'W) and Rosneath Point, 2nm NNW, with "A3" as the explosives anchorage.
Anchorage B: Established 1.25nm N of McInroy's Point (55°57'N 004°51'W), lies in an area between 4 recommended channels.
Deep water anchorages, usable for very large deep draught vessels which cannot be anchored in areas "A" or "B", have been established in the wider part of the firth, S of Toward Point (55°52'N 004°59'W).
The holding ground is sand/mud/shingle with a depth of 16.0m.
Restrictions
There are no restrictions at Greenock Ocean Terminal.
Tugs
Refer to Clydeport Towage Matrix for tug requirements.
Charts and publications
BA 1994. Admiralty Pilot NP66A, NP286(1).
Reporting before arrival
updated Aug 2019ETA and pre-arrival notices
ETA to be notified at least 24 hours in advance to Clydeport Estuary Control advising the following: Name/nationality, draught, approach channel, destination and pilot boarding point.
Notify ETA to Estuary Control by Fax: +44 1475 727005, Tel: +44 1475 726221 or on VHF Ch 12, 16.
ISPS pre arrival forms and waste notification should be faxed or emailed 24 hours prior to arrival.
Communications
VHF: Contact Clydeport Estuary Control Tower for all matters regarding pilotage and navigation: Ch 16, 12.
Coastguard: Ch 16, 70.
Inmarsat communication is possible.
Health
Radio pratique is available.
Flags
There is a fine for non-compliance of standard regulations.
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 Jul 2024Repairs
Available, by arrangement.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: Available.
Stores: Available.
Medical
Inverclyde Royal Hospital.
Crew change
No restrictions.
Transport
Nearest airport: Glasgow, 4.5km.
Airport facilities: National and international passenger and freight services.
Nearest railway: At Greenock.
Working hours
Normal receipt and delivery of goods Mon-Fri 0800-1700 hours and berthing 24 hours as required. Overtime can be worked by arrangement.
About Greenock
updated Aug 2019Where it is
Greenock is situated on the southern bank of the River Clyde at the Northern end of the Firth of Clyde.
The port
The port is the principal container terminal and harbour facilities for Glasgow, comprising the Greenock Ocean Terminal and Great Harbour Terminal. The port handles container, cruise, forest product and sand aggregates.
Traffic
Approx 108,000 passengers handled annually.
Questions about Greenock
What are the pilot arrangements at Greenock?
Vessels requiring a pilot should give a minimum of 6 hours advance notice of estimated arrival time and 6 hours advance notice of departure or intention to shift within the Port.
What time zone is Greenock in?
Local time at Greenock 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 Greenock?
The deepest berth listed is at Greenock Ocean Terminal: 11.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Greenock?
1025.
Which load line zone is Greenock 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 Greenock?
Port State Control at Greenock: Paris MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Greenock?
The UN/LOCODE of Greenock is GBGRK.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Greenock 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.