Kirkcaldy

Size limits

Max LOA 85m, beam 14.0m, draught 5.0m and 2,366DWT.

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

MHWS 4.8m and MHWN 2.4m.

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

Approach

The port is accessed through the Firth of Forth. The harbour consists of a tidal basin with an entrance width of 46.0m.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Forth Navigation Service operated by Forth and Tay Navigation Service. All inbound vessels must contact the Forth Navigation Service via email or facsimile 24 hours in advance of their ETA at the E limit of the service area, a line joining North Carr Beacon (56°17.7'N., 2°34.3'W.) and South Carr Beacon (56°03.4'N., 2°37.7'W.) or as soon as possible after departure from the last port if less than 24 hours. Any adjustments to the ETA of 2 hours or more must be reported.

Forth Navigation Service maintains radar surveillance throughout the area. Details of traffic, navigational warnings, and local weather forecasts are available upon request.

Anchorages

Deep water anchorages in Kirkcaldy Bay. The bay is free from dangers, however, the bottom consists of rock covered with sand and the holding ground is not good. Vessels of an LOA 150m and over inbound from the Kilo Anchorages must not proceed S of latitude 56°05.0'N until the pilot is on board and has the conduct of the vessel.

Restrictions

The lock gates have a width of 15.2m, however, the gates are no longer in use

Numerous oil and gas fields are located in the approaches to the Firth of Forth.

Wind Speed: Max wind speed permitted for berthing is 20kts

Visibility: Vessels are not permitted to enter or leave the port when the outer breakwater (F1.R 5s) are unable to be seen from the Carrs Mill berth

Tugs

Forth Estuary Towage Ltd, Tel: +01315 558881 and Targe Towing. Targe Towin provides terminal tugs ranging from 30 to 124-ton bollard pull and from LOA's 22m to 44m.

Mooring

Berthing and sailing may take place when vessels have sufficient water and specified UKC. UKC min 0.7m.

Charts and publications

BA 739. Admiralty Pilot NP54, NP286(1).

Documents

All vessels carrying dangerous or polluting cargo as classied in the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code are to provide the following information in the pre-arrival report to the Forth Navigation Service

Notices and regulations

Black/Grey Water Disposal must be arranged via a local agent. Port of Kirkcaldy provides one International Catering Waste (ICW) skip that should be used for all general and ICW landed waste.

All other wastes must be removed via a port approved licensed waste contractor and organised via the vessels agent. This waste include: pallets, oils and oily

contaminated materials, paints/paint pots, chemicals, cargo residues (e.g. dunnage), scrap, clinical/medical waste, batteries, sewage. The aforementioned waste must not be placed on the quayside until waste provider is onsite and must be collected prior to vessels departure.

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

Painting or chipping over the side of the vessel is not permitted whilst in port. Hot work or any work that produces a spark, flame or radiated heat is only permitted with prior consent by FTNS. Diving may be permitted with prior consent by FTNS. A diving permit must be completed and requested via email ([email protected]).

All works requiring external contractors must be sorted via local agents to ensure that the works are coordinated through the relevant Port Departments.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available and must be organised via agents to arrange delivery of water via road tanker.

Bunkering: Bunkers (DO and MGO) are available by road tanker via WP Group.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Victoria Hospital (1.1km).

Transport

Nearest airport: Fife Airport (8.6km) and Edinburgh Airport (23km).

Nearest railway: Kirkcaldy (1.2km)

Nearest highway: The port has access to A92.

Nearest public transport: Bus routes throughout Kirkcaldy.

Working hours

Normally 0800-1700hrs, overtime as required.

Where it is

Kirkcaldy is located on the N side of the Forth Estuary on the E coast of Scotland.

The port

The Port of Kirkcaldy, with its origins tracing back to the 17th century, stands as a significant landmark along Scotland's eastern coastline. For centuries, it served as a vital conduit for trade, facilitating the exchange of goods that fuelled the local economy and supported the burgeoning industries of the time. However, as the landscape of maritime commerce evolved, the port ultimately ceased operations in the late 1980s.

The Port of Kirkcaldy resumed operations in 2011 under the stewardship of Forth Ports Group. Today, the port primarily services the renowned Hutchisons Mill, specializing in the handling of grain and cereals.

Strategically situated within the tidal harbour is the NAASBA Berth, designed to accommodate a variety of vessels including inland waterborne freight, ensuring efficient loading and unloading processes. While grain and cereals remain the primary focus, the port's capabilities extend beyond these staples. It is also equipped to handle timber, aggregate, and a diverse range of other bulk commodities, catering to the varied needs of its customers.

What are the pilot arrangements at Kirkcaldy?

Compulsory. Available from Forth Pilotage Authority.

What time zone is Kirkcaldy in?

Local time at Kirkcaldy 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 Kirkcaldy?

The deepest berth listed is at Hutchisons Mill: 5.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Kirkcaldy?

1025.

Which load line zone is Kirkcaldy 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 Kirkcaldy?

Port State Control at Kirkcaldy: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Kirkcaldy?

The UN/LOCODE of Kirkcaldy is GBKKD.

What crews who called at Kirkcaldy 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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