Harwich

1. Harwich pilot boarding Pilot boards51°56.8′N 001°30.6′E

Size limits

LOA 292m, draught 9.5m, beam 40m, 34,529DWT

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

Direct access from sea (no locks or tidal restriction)

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

Approach

From the vicinity of the Sunk Light Float (51°51'N 001°35'E) the route leads 2m NNW to the entrance to:

Harwich Deep Water Channel: The deep water channel is generally 450m or more wide, but narrows to 370m 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 dredged to a depth of 14.5m as far as the entrance to the River Orwell.

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 Pitching Ground 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°19.0'E) on the S side.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Vessels entering the Sunk Precautionary Area should navigate with extreme caution as vessels boarding or landing pilots may be encountering, some of which may be constrained by their Draught.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency is the Competent Authority for the Sunk VTS.

Anchorages

Erwarton Anchorage is considered an extension of Parkeston Anchorage.

Vessels carrying petroleum, liquefied gas, or explosives are not normally permitted to anchor in the inner harbour anchorages. Anchoring is prohibited in and within 60m of designated fairways.

Restrictions

Movement prohibited during the following times: 0500-0700hrs, 1100-1300hrs, 1600-1800hrs and 2100-2359hrs.

Tugs

Tugs from 13-60t bollard pull.

Mooring

Multi pontoons available.

Charts and publications

BA 1491, 2693, 2052. Admiralty Pilot NP28, NP286(1).

Communications

All vessels coming into Harwich Harbour must maintain a continuous listening watch on VHF Ch 71 and report to VTS on anchoring or berthing and clearing anchorages or berths. Vessels must obtain permission before getting underway from anchor or leaving a berth.

Call sign: Harwich VTS

Telephone: +44(0) 1255 243000

VHF: Ch 71, 09, 11, 20

Pilotage contact information:

Call sign: Sunk Pilots/Haven Pilots

Telephone: +44(0) 1255 243111

VHF: Ch 09

Haven Pilot Station:

The station provides Pilotage for Harwich, Felixstowe, Ipswich and Mistley. It should only be used by vessels under 180m, in length overall or under 8m draught.

Notices and regulations

All vessels over 50GT intending to navigate within the area of jurisdiction of Harwich Haven Authority are required to report to the Harwich Haven Ports Operations Service. All vessels over LOA 50m are subject to compulsory pilotage.

Masters and First Mates of vessels may apply for, and be issued with, Pilotage Exemption Certificates for the compulsory area or for specified parts of that area, subject to qualification by examination and/or experience.

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.

All vessels of more than 50GT are required to use the one-way traffic lanes unless otherwise permitted by the Harbour Master.

Traffic Regulations: Traffic regulatory system: Vessels with an LOA exceeding 310m and vessels constrained by their draught have priority of movement in the Deep Water Channel.

Between Harwich Approach Buoy and Platters Buoy any vessel which is not confined to the Deep Water Channel by reason of her draught shall make use of the alternative N Channel (inbound) or S Channel (outbound).

Outbound vessels in the Deep Water Channel proceeding to Shipway Channel must do so between Harwich Approach Buoy and Cross Buoy.

Outbound vessels in the South Channel proceeding to Shipway Channel must do so between Cross Buoy and Rough Buoy.

No vessel shall enter or cross a harbour channel in such a manner as to impede or endanger the movement of any vessel already navigating within that channel.

Vessels are prohibited from entering Harwich Deep Water Channel between S Shipwash Lightbuoy (S Cardinal) (51°52.7'N 001°34.2'E) and Walker Lightbuoy (port hand). Ultra Large and Large Vessel Holding Area: The area bounded to N by a line from Harwich Approach Buoy to W Shipwash Buoy Bank and to S by the Deep Water Channel, is designated as a holding or turning area for any Large or Ultra Large vessels which are compelled by circumstances to make use of it. In the event, a warning will be issued by Harwich VTS and all other vessels must not manoeuvre or anchor so as to impede such vessels.

Large vessels and Ultra Large vessels are defined as vessels whose LOA exceed 240m and 310m respectively.

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

Limited services available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Available by barge via 3rd party supplier.

Transport

Nearest airport: Stansted, (international) 80km.

Nearest railway: Railway station located at both Harwich International Port and in Harwich town.

Nearest motorway: A120 leading to A12 and A14.

Working hours

24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Where it is

The port of Harwich is located on the E coast of England, at the SE extremity of the estuary of the River Stour.

The port

Harwich incorporates two distinct port areas:

Harwich International Port, owned by Hutchinson Whampoa Ltd, operated by Harwich International Port Ltd and Navyard Wharf, owned and operated by Harwich Dock Co Ltd.

Navigation and vessels movements are under the authority of Harwich Haven Authority.

Two breakwaters, one stone with a length of about 450m and one wooden at Landguard Point protect the harbour on the Suffolk shore. Harwich International Port is equipped with a terminal for regular passenger cargo Ro-Ro services to the Hook of Holland and Esbjerg.

Traffic

Approx 3,000,000t of cargo, 1,500 vessels and 670,000 passengers.

Where does the pilot board at Harwich?

The pilot boards at Harwich pilot boarding, 51°56.8′N 001°30.6′E.

What time zone is Harwich in?

Local time at Harwich 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 Harwich?

The deepest berth listed is at Harwich International Terminal: 9.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Harwich?

1025.

Which load line zone is Harwich 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 Harwich?

Port State Control at Harwich: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Harwich?

The UN/LOCODE of Harwich is GBHRW.

What crews who called at Harwich 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.

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