Manchester Ship Canal

Size limits

For further information and ruling depths alongside berths application should be made to the Harbour Master.

Swinging: Vessels of max size can swing in the basins at Stanlow and Manchester. Smaller vessels can swing at certain other points.

Water density

1000-1010, mainly fresh water.

Load line zone

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

Tides

The Eastham Entrance locks are normally operated from 4 hours before HW to 4 hours after HW. Priority is usually given to outgoing ships before HW. In the case of the Queen Elizabeth II Dock, the period is 3 hours before to 3 hours after HW. HW at Eastham is approx 20 minutes after Liverpool.

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

Approach

The entrance to the Ship Canal at Eastham is 21.37nm (40.23km) from the Bar Lanby Buoy in Liverpool Bay and the access from the sea is via the River Mersey.

Vessels approaching from the River Mersey should contact the Duty Officer, Eastham Port Operations Centre (Callsign "Eastham Port Control" VHF Ch 16, 07) before moving within the Canal area.

The port is approached through the River Mersey and Eastham Channel and is entered close NNW of Eastham Locks; vessels proceed to either Queen Elizabeth II Dock or the Manchester Ship Canal.

Approach to Eastham: From a position off Tranmere Oil Terminal, the track leads a further 4nm through Eastham Channel to the vicinity of Eastham Locks or Queen Elizabeth II Dock, within the port of Manchester, passing at the S end of the river wall or otherwise;

NE of tanker cleaning jetty, situated at the head of Rock Ferry Pier, 0.2nm SE of the oil terminal and from which lights are exhibited, then SW of Dingle Lightbuoy (1.3nm NNW), which marks the SW limit of a prohibited anchorage, then; NE of Brombro Lightbuoy (1.05nm NNW), then; between "E2" Lightbuoy (port hand) (0.5nm N) and "E1" Lightbuoy (starboard hand) (0.6nm NNW) which lie at the entrance to Eastham Channel, then following the channel marked by lightbuoys to the locks.

Inbound vessels should time their arrival to approach Eastham Locks at HW or just on the start of the out going tide, so as to avoid the E set across the face of the locks on the incoming tide.

Outbound vessels of max draught should leave the lock 30 mins before HW against the incoming tide. Similar procedures should be adopted for Queen Elizabeth II Dock.

Cautions: Depths in the river frequently change and the buoys are moved accordingly. Depths in Eastham Channel vary and can be obtained from the Harbour Master, Manchester Ship Canal Company.

Port limits

The limits of the port of Manchester commence at the inner limit of the port of Liverpool at Warrington Bridge and include River Mersey N and E of the bridge and River Irwell, so far as they are navigable, River Weaver to Frodsham Bridge and the Manchester Ship Canal from the entrance at Eastham, where it touches the port of Liverpool, to Hunts Bank in the city of Manchester.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Vessel Traffic Service Scheme operates from Eastham. A continuous listening watch is maintained and AIS station installed.

Inbound vessels for the canal or Queen Elizabeth II Dock should establish contact with the Harbour Master, Eastham, callsign "Eastham", prior to arrival, to make arrangements for canal transit and / or berthing for the provision of tugs.

Traffic regulating: The Lockmaster at Eastham is responsible for regulating traffic between Eastham and Old Quay Swing Bridge, Runcorn; the Lockmaster at Latchford Locks is responsible for regulating traffic between Old Quay Swing Bridge, Runcorn and Manchester Docks.

There is a radio station at Latchford Locks.

Anchorages

In the event of berths not being readily available, there is good anchorage outside River Mersey in the open roadstead of Liverpool Bay. When anchoring, it is essential that vessels do so well clear of the buoyed channel and Bar Lightfloat. Vessels over 50GT may not anchor inside River Mersey, except in an emergency, without permission from Mersey Radio.

Prohibited anchorage: In order to avoid obstructing shipping in the approach to River Mersey, vessels may not anchor W from "Q2" and "Q1" Lightfloats and extending to 3nm W of Bar Lightfloat.

Restrictions

TEMPORARY DRAUGHT RESTRICTIONS may be in place. Vessels are advised to check latest information with Port Control before transit is commenced.

LOCKS: Queen Elizabeth II Dock Lock: The lock is 246m x 30.5m. The level on the outer sill is 5.6m below CD.

Eastham Locks: The main entrance to the Manchester Ship Canal. There are 2 locks, one 182.8m x 24.4m and the other 106.7m x 15.2m. The outer sills are 3.46m below CD.

Marsh Lock: Entrance to Weaver Navigation. Max vessel size: LOA, 66.4m; draught, 3.2m (FW); beam, 12.2m.

Latchford Locks: Rise 3.8m. Large lock 182.9m x 19.8m. Small lock 106.9m x 13.7m. Tel: +44 1925 35249.

Irlam Locks: Rise 4.9m. Large lock 182.9m x 19.8m. Small lock 106.7m x 13.7m. Max size of vessel to swing below Irlam: LOA 109.7m; draught, 5.5m (FW).

Barton Locks: Rise 4.6m. Large lock 182.9m x 19.8m. Small lock 106.7m x 13.7m.

Mode Wheel Locks: Rise 4.0m. Large lock 182.9m x 19.8m. Small lock 106.7m x 13.7m.

BRIDGES: Several bridges and overhead cables span the canal; the least vertical clearance of any fixed bridge is not less than 22m and any power cable not less than 25.8m, above normal water level. Above Runcorn, there are also a number of swing bridges, which give a passage of 36.6m width.

Gauge wires span the canal before the bridges and any vessel failing to clear these wires should not attempt to pass under the bridge.

Vessels navigating between Runcorn and Latchford Locks are warned that vertical distances may be reduced during the period from 1 hour before to 4 hours after HW of a levelling tide. It is therefore strongly recommended for the mast heights to be reduced to 21.3m for vessels proceeding above Runcorn.

Runcorn Railway Viaduct: Clearance 24.25m above normal water level.

Runcorn-Widnes Road Bridge: Clearance 24.46m above normal water level.

Old Quay Swing Bridge, Runcorn: Width of opening 36.5m. Clearance when closed 5.8m.

Moore Lane Swing Bridge: Width of opening 36.5m. Clearance when closed 3.1m.

Acton Grange Railway Viaduct: Height 22m above normal water level.

Chester Road Swing Bridge: Width of opening 36.5m. Clearance when closed 4.9m.

Northwich Road Swing Bridge: Width of opening 36.5m. Clearance when closed 5.5m.

Latchford High Level Bridge: Height 22m above normal water level.

Knutsford Road Swing Bridge: Width of opening 36.5m. Clearance when closed 6.7m.

Latchford Railway Viaduct: Height 22m above normal water level.

Thelwall High Level Bridges: Carries M6 motorway. Height 22.4m above normal water level.

Warburton High Level Bridge: Height 22.5m above normal water level.

Cadishead Railway Viaduct: Clearance 22.4m above normal water level.

Irlam Railway Viaduct: Clearance 22.4m above normal water level.

Barton High Level Bridge: Carries M60 motorway. Clearance 24.8m above normal water level.

Barton Road Swing Bridge: Width of opening 27.4m. Clearance when closed 3.7m.

Barton Swing Aqueduct: Carries the Bridgewater Canal over the Ship Canal. Clearance when closed 4.9m.

Parkway Crossing Lift Bridge: Clearance 22.4m above normal water level. Clearance when closed 6.9m.

Overhead Pipeline: Crosses the Ship Canal from Weaste Oil Wharf to Proctor & Gamble Ltd with a clearance of 27m above normal water level.

Trafford Road Swing Bridge: Fixed. Clearance 4.6m. Width 22.7m.

Tugs

Tugs are available. (See Communications Section)

Mooring

Berthing and pilotage is arranged by the Duty Harbour Master. Boatmen are arranged by agents. Canal tug is arranged by the Duty Harbour Master.

Charts and publications

BA 3478, 3490. Admiralty Pilot NP37, NP286(1).

Communications

Ships which are equipped with the appropriate channels are obliged to establish contact with the nearest shore station before leaving a berth or lock within the harbour and thereafter to maintain a continuous listening watch on Ch 14.

Port operations vessels moving within the harbour should maintain a listening watch on Ch 14. After contact has been established, the shore station will request the ship to switch to the appropriate speech channel.

Documents

Written permission will be given.

Health

International health regulations are to be observed. Any vessel bound for berth within the port of Manchester, which is suspect, should inform Manchester Port Health through ship's agents, not more than 12 hours and not less than 3 hours prior to arrival.

Customs and immigration

The Customs House in Liverpool can be contacted on Tel: +44 151 227 4343.

Flags

No special requirements.

Notices and regulations

Vessels must comply with the "Harbour & Manchester Bye Laws".

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, including diving service.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh Water available.

Bunkers available by barge.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Halton General Hospital, 12.5km.

Crew change

Arranged by agents. Good motorway, air and rail connections locally.

Transport

Nearest international airport: Liverpool John Lennon Airport located at Speke Liverpool, 23.3km.

Nearest railway: Passenger and freight; Liverpool or Chester for all stations to Manchester.

Nearest motorway: M53, M56, M6, M60, M62, M602, there is a motorway within 10 mins drive from any point of the canal.

Working hours

Liquid cargoes work throughout 24 hours, dry cargoes by arrangement.

Where it is

The Manchester Ship Canal and its associated ports are located on the W coast of England. Entrance is made at Eastham in the Mersey estuary.

The port

The port covers the whole of the Manchester Ship Canal and the Queen Elizabeth II Dock at Eastham. Canal areas include Manchester, Stanlow, Ellesmere Port, Runcorn, Eastham, Partington, Weston and other berths and terminals located along the Manchester Ship Canal. There is a new container terminal at Irlam which is able to handle small container vessels. The project is part of Peel Ports' Strategic Plan for new and improved port facilities along the Canal.

Oil and liquid chemicals in bulk: The major share of the port's large volume of oil traffic is handled at the Queen Elizabeth II Dock at Eastham and at Stanlow Oil Docks near Ellesmere Port. Both sets of docks are provided with pipeline connections from the berths to installations in the area. Berths for discharging and loading oil and liquid chemical products are also available at various points along the canal including Ellesmere Port, Runcorn and Partington.

Traffic

Approx 5,700,000t of cargo and 1,550 vessels handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Manchester Ship Canal?

Compulsory for vessels over 50m length.

What time zone is Manchester Ship Canal in?

Local time at Manchester Ship Canal 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 Manchester Ship Canal?

The deepest berth listed is at Eastham QE II Terminal: 9.10 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Manchester Ship Canal?

1000-1010, mainly fresh water.

Which load line zone is Manchester Ship Canal 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 Manchester Ship Canal?

Port State Control at Manchester Ship Canal: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Manchester Ship Canal?

The UN/LOCODE of Manchester Ship Canal is GBMSC.

What crews who called at Manchester Ship Canal 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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