PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Kilroot
Pilot
updated Feb 2025Pilotage is provided from Belfast, boarding 2.5nm E of the jetty..
Key data
updated Feb 2025Size limits
LOA 120m, draught 15m, beam 23m, 12,920DWT.
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 streams within the Lough tend to run parallel to the coastline with strength of current of approx 0.5-1kt.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kilroot Power Station Fuel Terminal | 15.00 m | 280 m | 1 |
| Kilroot Power Station | — | 120 m | 1 |
| Kilroot Point Salt Terminal | — | 120 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 Feb 2025Anchorages
Vessels will find an excellent anchorage near the middle of the Lough E of the line between Grey Point (54°40.6'N 005°44.3'W) and Carrickfergus (3.5nm NW).
Restrictions
Vessels manoeuvring S of the oil jetty must take care to avoid the Briggs, a rocky spit drying at its inner end, which extends 0.3nm S from Cloghlan Point.
Tugs
Number of tugs to be used is determined by the pilot/Master but there must be a min of two for inward and outward movements. Up to four tugs may be required depending on the vessel's size and weather conditions.
Tugs come from Belfast and a minimum notice of 2 hours is required. Tug movements in Belfast take precedence over movements at Kilroot, Ballylumford and other outside ports.
Mooring
Angle and distance of the ship's bow and stern to the jetty is indicated by two rows of horizontal bars on the display unit. The main console, in the control room, displays speeds in cm/sec and distance in metres.
Charts and publications
BA 1752, 1753, 2198. Admiralty Pilot NP40, NP286(1).
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.
About Kilroot
updated Jul 2026Where it is
Cloghan Point fuel terminal is situated on the N shore of Belfast Lough, serving the Kilroot Power Station, 1.5nm SW.
The port
The port features an oil jetty at Cloghan Point for fuel imports, a coal jetty for supplying Kilroot Power Station, and a salt-loading jetty at Kilroot Point. Additionally, a small basin near the power station accommodates ancillary craft. The port plays a crucial role in regional energy supply and industrial logistics, supporting coal, oil and salt transportation.
Traffic
Approx 16,000t of cargo handled annually.
Questions about Kilroot
What are the pilot arrangements at Kilroot?
Pilotage is provided from Belfast, boarding 2.5nm E of the jetty..
What time zone is Kilroot in?
Local time at Kilroot 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 Kilroot?
The deepest berth listed is at Kilroot Power Station Fuel Terminal: 15.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Kilroot?
1025.
Which load line zone is Kilroot 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 Kilroot?
Port State Control at Kilroot: Paris MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Kilroot?
The UN/LOCODE of Kilroot is GBKLR.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Kilroot 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.