Hull

Size limits

LOA 199m, draught 10.4m, beam 32.2m, 48,356DWT

Water density

1013-1016.

Load line zone

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

Tides

Range 6.8m (springs), 3.4m (neaps).

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

Approach

The W limit of the dredged approach area is indicated by the following light beacons in line 057°

The entrance lock to King George Dock is length 228m, width 25.7m, depth over sill 12.8m at MHWS and 11.3m at MHWN. The lock is available throughout 24 hours. Larger vessels restricted by the tide are usually only accepted from 3 hours before HW to HW.

Entry into Alexandra Dock: The following light beacons in line 359° indicate the E limit of the dredged approach area to the entrance lock

The entrance lock to Alexandra Dock has a length of 167m, width 25.7m, depth over sill 8.1m at MHWN

Entry into Albert Dock: Entry is from the river through a lock at the E end of the dock, length 97m, width 24.3m, depth over sill 7.1m at MHWN. Vessels enter and leave Albert Dock from 2.5 hours before HW to 1.5 hours after HW.

Anchorages

Spurn anchorage: 5nm ESE of Spurn Head, used by vessels awaiting a pilot.

Bull anchorage: 1.5nm SW of Spurn Head, used by outbound vessels and those awaiting berths.

Haile anchorage: Adjoining the SW corner of Bull anchorage, is for the use of vessels carrying explosives. Vessels may request Harbour Master's permission to use this anchorage for the purpose of gas freeing or tank washing.

Caution: Large vessels anchoring in the deep water anchorage awaiting pilots 3.5nm SE of Humber Light Float have been known to drag anchor in a N'ly direction at a rate of 2kts towards and over the gas pipelines which are situated about 4nm N.

Restrictions

Depths in the channels are subject to frequent change therefore exempted vessels are recommended to take a pilot.

Within the Humber River tidal streams are both strong and irregular.

Vessels in ballast and not gas free or carrying a bulk cargo of a dangerous substance are not permitted entry without permission of the Harbour Master when visibility is less than 0.5nm.

Mooring

Apply to the Dock Master, Tel: +44 1482 783538.

Charts and publications

BA 3496, 3497, 8045. Admiralty Pilot NP54, NP286(1).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessels are requested to notify ETA 24 hours in advance or 1 hour after departure from last port of call, whichever is the later, giving draught, description and any dangerous cargo, last port of call and nationality. Amendments to ETA must be reported.

Communications

VHF: Spurn Pilot: Ch 16.

VTS Humber: Ch 12, 16, continuous watch.

Saltend Terminal: Ch 22, continuous watch.

King George Dock: Ch 11.

Alexandra Dock: Ch 11.

Albert Dock: Ch 11.

River Hull (Old Harbour): VHF Ch 22, callsign "Drypool Radio". Monitored Mon-Fri from 3 hours 15 minutes before HW until 15 minutes after HW, and Sat 1000-12000hrs irrespective of tide.

Hull Marina: Ch 80, from 3 hours before HW until 3 hours after HW. (Harbour Master's Office, Tel: +01482 331208, Fax: +44 1482 331203).

Documents

ISPS forms also required prior to arrival as per international requirements.

Health

Contact Hull and Goole Port Health Authority, Tel: +44 1482 324776.

Customs and immigration

HM Customs, King George Dock, Hull, Tel: +44 1482 796161.

Notices and regulations

Contact the Harbour Master, Tel: +44 1482 327171.

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.

Dry docks

Three drydocks are available: Alexandra No 2 handles vessels up to LOA 153m, beam 18.4m.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Hull Docks: Available at all berths.

Saltend Terminal: Available extension berth.

Bunkering: Hull Docks: Available by barge or road tanker.

Saltend Terminal: Available by barge only and subject to prior permission of the Piermaster and BP Chemicals.

Stores: Saltend Terminal: Small amounts of stores may be delivered by trolley down the jetty. Larger quantities taken by barge.

Medical

Hull Royal Infirmary, 8km.

Crew change

Limited crew change and air freight facilities.

Transport

Nearest airport: Humberside International, 30km.

Airport facilities: Regular domestic and some European flights available.

Nearest railway: Hull Paragon, 6km.

Nearest highway: M62, 30km.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Hull (Kingston-upon-Hull) is located on the N side of the Humber Estuary on the E coast of England.

The port

The main port (owned/operated by Associated British Ports) has 4 main commercial centres. From seaward these are the Saltend Jetties; King George and Queen Elizabeth Docks; Alexandra Dock; and Albert and William Wright Docks. Altogether the port estate comprises 800ha across 8km of waterfront. All types of cargo can be accommodated at the port.

There is also the minor port which includes the River Hull, sometimes called the Old Harbour, and Hull Marina, which are both owned/operated by Kingston upon Hull City Council.

Traffic

Approx 7,600,000t of cargo, 300,000TEU, 2,800 vessels, and 880,000 passengers handled annually.

What time zone is Hull in?

Local time at Hull 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 Hull?

The deepest berth listed is at All Weather Terminal - King George Dock: 10.40 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Hull?

1013-1016.

Which load line zone is Hull 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 Hull?

Port State Control at Hull: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Hull?

The UN/LOCODE of Hull is GBHUL.

What crews who called at Hull 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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