Lerwick

1. Lerwick North pilot boarding position Pilot boards60°11.8′N 001°06.7′W
2. Lerwick South pilot boarding position Pilot boards60°07.2′N 001°08.3′W
3. Lerwick reporting point — North entrance Pilot60°12.1′N 001°04.3′W

Size limits

LOA 200m, beam 20.20m, draught 8.0m, 8,850DWT.

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

Range 1.6m springs, 0.8m neaps. The extreme range is only 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 harbour may be entered from either the South or North end of Bressay Sound, to the inner harbour and berthing areas. The South Approach Channel is the deeper and wider of the two. Access and approaches to Inner North Harbour and Greenhead Base areas have been deepened through various dredging programmes to depths of 9m below Chart Datum.

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Port limits

Lerwick Harbour: Northern limit is a line due E from Hawks Ness to meet line due N from Outer Score. Southern limit is a line drawn from The Skeo to Bard Head.

Pilotage limits: That area of sea bounded generally on the N by a line drawn from Hawks Ness to Green Holm to the island of Outer Score and bounded on the S by a line drawn from Trebister Ness to Kirkabister Ness.

Inner Harbour: Inner Harbour is defined as that part of the sea of Lerwick Harbour Area bounded on the N by a line drawn from Rova Head to Ness of Beosetter and on the S by a line drawn from Knab to Point of Ham.

Anchorages

Ample anchorages in sheltered water for any size vessel in North and South Harbour areas, subject to prior consultation with Port Authority. Inner South Harbour anchorage depth minimum 10m with a radius of 300m. Brei Wick anchorage depth 15 - 25m. Anchorage in North and South outer Harbour areas with depths up to 50m.

Restrictions

Restricted anchorages S harbour W side, Chart BA 3290. South Roads within 0.2nm of Bressay shore.

There is a speed limit of 5kts within the limits of the harbour.

UKC: A minimum under keel clearance of 0.5m should be maintained at all times when manoeuvring within the harbour area.

Tugs

2 tugs available.

Mooring

Mooring are upon request from port authority.

Charts and publications

BA 3270, 3271. Admiralty Pilot NP52, NP286(1).

US 35065, 35067 and 35072. US Sailing Directions 141 (Scotland).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

ETA 24 hours and 2 hours prior to arrival. ETA by VHF 1 hour from port limits, any amendments of ETA to be sent 2 hours before arrival. Advise draught, intended entrance and whether pilot required.

All vessels of 300GT and over are required to provide notification of their intended port of call at least 24hours in advance with the exception of fishing vessels, traditional ships, pleasure craft under LOA45m, warships, naval auxiliary ships and any other ships operated or owned by the Government of an EEA State which are used for non-commercial public use.

Communications

Extensive radar coverage of the harbour area maintaining a continuous watch throughout 24hrs. In case of emergency, Port Control Office is manned 24hrs daily.

Health

As per UK regulations.

Customs and immigration

Tel: +44 1595 696166.

Notices and regulations

Lerwick Harbour Byelaws are currently in force.

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 at most berths by 2.5in diameter water hose connections, 40-50tph.

Bunkering: Available throughout 24hrs. GO is available and supplied by tanker at most berths or at dedicated fuel bunkering points at Greenhead Base, Gremista and Holmsgarth. Oil bunkering points at some berths including deep water berths. Other supplies by main oil companies.

Stores: Available.

Waste: Covered rubbish skips are provided at all berths for vessel's domestic waste. Recycling facilities are located on Victoria Pier. Hazardous/Special waste facilities are available via Shipping Agents.

Lerwick Port Authority (LPA) operates a Port Waste Management Plan fully approved by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). This ensures that all ship generated waste and cargo residue is controlled at all piers and quays. The waste management plan details the location of all waste reception facilities at the Authority’s piers and harbours. It also contains a list of the contractors used for waste disposal.

The plan ensures that LPA complies with the Merchant Shipping and Fishing Vessels (Port Waste Reception Facilities) Regulations 2003 and other relevant legislation and guidelines, including, Marine Guidance Note (MGN) 253 and A Guide to Good Practice – Port Waste Management Planning, issued by the MCA

Medical

Nearest hospital: Gilbert Bain Hospital, 1.3km.

Crew change

Possible, arrange through agents.

Transport

Nearest airport: Tingwall Airport, 10.3km.

Working hours

Normally 24 hours at service bases; 0800-1700hrs all other quays. Overtime by arrangement.

Where it is

Lerwick is situated on the E coast of the Shetland Islands.

The port

Lerwick is a natural deep water, spacious, sheltered harbour, with two entrances, accessible in all weathers and tides. Over 3,000m of quay space with depths of up to 12.5m and anchorages with depths up to 50m.

Cargo handled: General, Ro-Ro/Lo-Lo, container, fuel oils, bulk cargoes, oil rig supply, fish, frozen fish and livestock.

A nightly ferry link operates to Orkney and Aberdeen and ferries operate to Torshavn, Bergen and Hanstholm.

Latterly, the harbour is benefitting from more visits by larger cruise liners. A new pier has been built which now gives these ships direct access into the town, instead of anchoring off.

Traffic

Approx 900,000t of cargo, 5,000TEU, 200,000 passengers and 5,000 vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Lerwick?

The pilot boards at Lerwick North pilot boarding position, 60°11.8′N 001°06.7′W. Lerwick has 3 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Lerwick in?

Local time at Lerwick 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 Lerwick?

The deepest berth listed is at Mair's Quay and Pier: 8.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Lerwick?

1025.

Which load line zone is Lerwick 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 Lerwick?

Port State Control at Lerwick: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Lerwick?

The UN/LOCODE of Lerwick is GBLER.

What crews who called at Lerwick 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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