London Thamesport

Size limits

LOA 180m, draught 13.5m, beam 28m, 33,300DWT.

Load line zone

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

Tides

Range 5.5m.

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

Approach

The approach is through the Thames Estuary and the Medway approach channel, dredged to 15.0m LW. The Edinburgh Channel, dredged to 8.0m LW, range 4.0m, may be used as an alternative route for smaller vessels.

Traffic schemes and VTS

VTS: Medway Navigation Service (MNS) incorporates a radar surveillance system, CCTV coverage and an AIS system. London VTS (Ch 69) covers the Thames Estuary and approaches to the Medway Estuary.

Tugs

Available from Adsteam Medway, Sheerness.

Charts and publications

BA 1834, 3683. Admiralty Pilot NP28, NP286(1).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Inbound vessels to send ETA 24 and 8 hours prior to arrival to Agent for PLA VTS and MNS. ETD to be given to Medway Navigation Service at least 4 hours prior to departure.

Communications

VHF: Port: Ch 74, callsign "Medway Radio".

Tugs: Ch 73.

Port London Authority VTS: Ch 69.

Medway Navigation Service (MNS): Ch 16, 74, 09, 10, 11, 22, 73.

Operations based at Garrison Point, Sheerness at the mouth of the Medway.

Medway Pilots: Ch 74, 73. Tel: +44 1795 662276,

Fax: +44 1795 666596, Email: [email protected].

Health

Masters of vessels arriving at the port who have indicated a positive response to any of the questions contained in the Marine Declaration of Health must notify the London Port Health Authority prior to vessel arrival.

Notices and regulations

Reporting: Masters of vessels entering the Thames and Medway Estuaries or departing for sea are required to comply with the respective Bylaws and General Directions for the Port of London Authority and Medway Ports. All other relevant regulations such as Dangerous Goods in Harbour Areas, ISPS reporting procedures and other statutory requirements must also be adhered to.

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.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

London Thamesport (previously Thamesport) is situated 56km from central London in SE England. It lies on the N Kent coast, in the S part of the Isle of Grain, on the N side of Saltpan Reach.

The port

Built on the site of a former oil refinery, London Thamesport is a modern fully operational deep sea container and cargo port, capable of handling the largest post Panamax vessels.

London Thamesport is one of the UK's busiest container ports. This port is a member of the Hutchison Port Holdings (HPH) Group.

What time zone is London Thamesport in?

Local time at London Thamesport 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 London Thamesport?

The deepest berth listed is at London Thamesport Terminal: 13.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

Which load line zone is London Thamesport 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 London Thamesport?

Port State Control at London Thamesport: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of London Thamesport?

The UN/LOCODE of London Thamesport is GBTHP.

What crews who called at London Thamesport 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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