Leith

1. Forth Fairway Buoy (reporting point / ETA reference) Pilot56°03.5′N 003°00.0′W

Size limits

LOA 216m, beam 31m, draught 9.8m, 50,000DWT.

Water density

1015.

Load line zone

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

Tides

Mean spring range 5.6m, mean neap range 4.4m.

The tidal streams set strongly across the approach channel at rates of 1.5kts in a 080°/260° direction.

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

Approach

Entrance to the port is from the Firth of Forth through the entrance lock, length 259m, width 33m between floating fenders, depth on lock sill 12.2m MHWS. Entry is possible 24 hours a day, depending on draught.

Anchorages

Outer anchorages: There are 3 designated anchor berths L1, L2 and L3, in Leith Road and a small vessel anchorage to the N of Granton, these areas lie within the area of compulsory pilotage.

Restrictions

The lock is available at all times, draught and weather permitting, with the exception of Dec 25 and Jan 1 when it is operated for emergencies only.

Tugs

Available as required, Forth Ports operates its own fleet of Voith Schneider tractor tugs which are supported by other towage contractors within the Forth area when the need arises.

Forth Ports owned tugs: 1 x 50tbp, 1 x 30tbp, 2 x 19tbp and 1 x 13tbp.

Tugs will attend incoming vessels in Leith Roads.

Charts and publications

BA 735, 1407. Admiralty Pilot NP54, NP286(1).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessels bound for Leith should contact Leith Harbour Radio prior to arrival in Leith Roads.

ETA should be sent to Forth Pilots at the pilot boarding position 24 hours in advance via email or through the vessel's agent. The message should include GT, max draught and port of destination.

Compulsory ETA should be advised 12 hours in advance, or if voyage time is less than 12 hours ETA should be advised immediately on leaving the last port of call. A VHF confirmation should be sent 2 hours prior to arrival at the Pilot Station.

ETD should be sent as early as possible, but not later than 4 hours before departure. A compulsory ETD must be given 2 hours in advance.

Communications

VHF: Leith Harbour Radio Ch 12.

Forth Pilots: Ch 72, 71. Tel: +44 131 552 1420. Fax: +44 131 551 5869. Email: [email protected].

Forth Navigation: Ch 71, 20. Tel: +44 1324 498584. Fax: +441324 668480. Email: [email protected].

Tugs: 06, 08, 11, 12.

Health

Free Pratique will be granted on the basis that Health Declaration is in order.

Renewal of Ship Sanitation Control and Exemption Certificates is possible.

Customs and immigration

Officials from Customs and Immigration will board the vessel at the berth.

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.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available by pipeline at 40tph.

Bunkering: Bunkers are available, if required, either direct from pipeline or by road tanker.

Medical

Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh has helicopter landing site. Port operates a fully equipped health centre.

Transport

Nearest airport: Edinburgh (16km).

Airport facilities: Domestic and European connections.

Nearest railway: Waverley, Edinburgh 4.8km.

Working hours

Normally Mon-Thu 0800-1700hrs, Fri 0800-1600hrs. Flexible overtime arrangements to suit customer requirements. Overtime is worked as required.

Where it is

Leith is the port of Edinburgh, located on the S bank of the Firth of Forth on the E coast of Scotland.

The port

Leith is the largest enclosed deepwater port in Scotland and can handle handymax ships up to 50,000DWT.

The port consists of 3 docks and a harbour area. These provide 4,700m of quayage and accommodation for, general and bulk cargo, container and Ro-Ro vessels. Leith is also an important cruise destination and provides specialist offshore support facilities, and home to the largest firm of pipe coasters.

Traffic

Approx 20,000 passengers handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Leith?

The pilot boards at Forth Fairway Buoy (reporting point / ETA reference), 56°03.5′N 003°00.0′W.

What time zone is Leith in?

Local time at Leith 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 Leith?

The deepest berth listed is at Ocean Terminal: 9.80 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Leith?

1015.

Which load line zone is Leith 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 Leith?

Port State Control at Leith: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Leith?

The UN/LOCODE of Leith is GBLEI.

What crews who called at Leith 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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