Ipswich

Size limits

LOA 155.0m, beam 23.0m, 23,000DWT

Water density

1020.

Load line zone

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

Tides

Range 4.2m (springs) and 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 main channel is maintained to a depth of 5.6m below CD.

The dredged channel through the River Orwell between Harwich Harbour and Ipswich is over 185m in width at its entrance but narrows to approx 100m as the river is ascended. It is marked by lightbuoys and buoys (port and starboard hand). The banks of the river are well wooded.

From a position ENE of Navyard (51°57'N 001°17'E), the route leads 8nm in a generally NW direction following the dredged channel to the dock entrance at Ipswich, passing: between Bloody Point (51°57.0'N 001°17.3'E) and Trinity Container Terminal 0.3nm NE, which together stand at the entrance to the River Orwell. The container terminal stands on reclaimed land fronting Fagbury Cliff, which formed the original river bank. Shotley Spit Lightbuoy (S cardinal) (51°57.0'N 001°17.7'E) and 0.5nm NW, mark the entrance to the fairway. Then;

SW of Fagbury Point (51°58.0'N 001°17.1'E). Trimley Marshes to the N of the point are a nature reserve, then:

NE of Collimer Point (51°59.2'N 001°16.1'E), which is at the N end of Lower Reach, then:

NE of Pinmill (51°59.7'N 001°12.8'E), which is reached through a channel marked by a beacon (red can topmark) and posts and lies at the W end of Long Reach and Buttermans Bay. Potter Point is 0.35nm NE of Pinmill and from the point the river continues in a series of short reaches to Ipswich.

Under keel clearance should be calculate based on minimum allowance of 0.5 metres or 10% of the vessels deepest draft (whichever is the greater) at the River Orwell entrance.

The river passes under the Orwell Bridge (52°01.6'N 001°10.0'E), vertical clearance 38m at MHWS and then overhead cables with vertical clearance of 46m at MHWS, which cross the river close S of Ipswich river berths. Then:

Between the riverside berths to the lock entrance at Ipswich. New fully automated lock gates have been installed and are operational in all states of tide. Submarine power cables cross the entrance to the dock and then the river to the W bank. Beacons mark the direction of the cables.

Port limits

The port limits extend up river from markers on Trimley Marsh Wall and Shotley Marsh Wall.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Entry Signals: Lights fixed above the Orwell Navigation Service building on the E side of the lock indicate to vessels whether the lock is open or closed for entry from the river or the dock as appropriate.

One Red Light: Lock closed for vessel's entry.

One Green Light: Lock open for vessel's entry.

Position Reporting: A Master shall report to the Orwell Navigation Service on VHF Ch 68.

If any vessel is in a damaged condition which renders the vessel in any way unseaworthy or inhibits the vessel's ability to manoeuvre, full particulars of the damage shall be reported.

Note: The Harbour Master, on receiving a report from a Master of a vessel may give directions to the Master of such vessel under powers given by section 59(2) of the Ipswich Dock Act 1971.

Anchorages

Bawdsey (51°57'N 001°30'E) to the NE of S Bawdsey Lightbuoy.

Cork (51°57'N 001°26'E) to the N of the inbound traffic lane.

Platters (51°55'N 001°21'E) to the S of Pitching Ground Lightbuoy.

Shelf (51°56.5'N 001°18.5'E) on the W side of the fairway limited to small vessels less than LOA 91.7m and draught 3.7m.

Tugs

There are tugs available, up river from No 5 Buoy, vessels between LOA 110-130m require one tug; vessels of LOA 130m and above require two tugs.

Mooring

Instructions available from Orwell Navigation Service. VHF Ch 68.

Charts and publications

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

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Notify Harwich Operations of ETA 8 hours prior to arrival, to include GT, draught, last port of call and destination.

Communications

Ipswich Port Radio: Ch 68.

The Lock Master is equipped with VHF Radio and may be contacted through the Orwell Navigation Service (Ipswich Port Radio) on Ch 68.

Notice of readiness

For further details contact vessel's agent.

Documents

For information on the documents required contact vessel's agent.

Health

As per UK regulations. Ship Sanitation Control Certificates and Exemption Certificates issued.

Customs and immigration

As per UK regulations.

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

Not available. There is a slipway capable of accepting vessels up to 80m in length and 13m beam.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Available through Allantone Supplies, Esso Ipswich Marine.

Medical

Ipswich hospital with helipad.

Crew change

Available, by arrangement with agent.

Transport

Nearest airport: Stansted.

Nearest railway: Ipswich.

Working hours

General cargo: Mon-Thu 0730-1700hrs, Fri 0730-1600hrs, (overtime by arrangement).

Container Berths:, 0600-2200hrs.

Ro-Ro Berths: Shipwork 0600-2200hrs (available 24 hours if required); receiving and delivery continuous from 0600hrs Mon to 1400hrs Sat.

Where it is

Ipswich is located on the River Orwell on the E coast of England.

The port

The port has two container terminals and a Ro-Ro terminal, with frequent sailings to Ostend, also facilities for dry bulk and liquid cargoes. Container feeder services to Zeebrugge, Antwerp and Rotterdam also run on a regular basis. All quays are backed by hard standing for open storage, most types of cargo can be handled by arrangement. Imports include timber, aggregates, fertilisers and petroleum products. Main exports are grain and pulses.

Traffic

Approx 2,400,000t of cargo and 1,000 vessels handled annually.

What time zone is Ipswich in?

Local time at Ipswich is UTC+0. Clocks go to UTC+1 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC+0 on 31 Oct 2027.

What is the water density at Ipswich?

1020.

Which load line zone is Ipswich 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 Ipswich?

Port State Control at Ipswich: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Ipswich?

The UN/LOCODE of Ipswich is GBIPS.

What crews who called at Ipswich 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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