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PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS

Marcus Hook

USMAHUnited States39°49.2′N 075°24.4′WUpdated Aug 2026Open in the Ports tool

PILOTCompulsory and available 24 hours.
KEY DATAUTC−5 · IALA B · deepest berth 13.00 m draught
REPORTINGOther vessels must submit a request for pilot with ETA and draught at least 8 hours in advance and a confirmation at least 2 hours before arrival.
INSPECTIONSUS Coast Guard port.

Pilot

updated Dec 2011

Compulsory and available 24 hours. Pilots operate on VHF Ch 14, 16 and 13. Vessels should send request for pilot, including ETA and draught, at least 8 hours in advance then confirm at least 2 hours before ETA. LNG and LPG vessels are required to give at least 96 hours notice with confirmation 12 hours in advance. Message should include:

1. ETA at Delaware Memorial Bridge

2. Intended length of stay and ETD

3. Changes to itinerary

In-bound vessels should contact pilots on arrival at Delaware lightbuoy D (38°27.30'N 074°41.80'W) or Five Fathoms lightbuoy F (38°47.20'N 074°34.60'W).

Key data

updated Aug 2026
LOCAL TIMEUTC−5Clocks go to UTC−4 on 14 Mar 2027. Back to UTC−5 on 7 Nov 2027.worked out from the port's time zone
WATER DENSITY1000.
LOAD LINE ZONESummer Zone for vessels over LOA 100m and Winter Seasonal Area for vessels of LOA 100m or less, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.
IALA REGIONBRed to starboard when entering.from the country
MAX SIZELOA 277.35m, beam 50.0m, draught 13m, 167,294DWT.

Size limits

LOA 277.35m, beam 50.0m, draught 13m, 167,294DWT.

Water density

1000.

Load line zone

Summer Zone for vessels over LOA 100m and Winter Seasonal Area for vessels of LOA 100m or less, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Tides

Range 1.6m.

Max draft per terminal

TerminalMax draughtMax LOABerths
Marcus Hook Industrial Complex (MHIC)13.00 m252 m5
Trainer Refinery11.58 m277 m2
Oceanport10.30 m190 m1

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

Approach

updated Jul 2023

Approach

Delaware River has a channel depth of 12.0m to Fairless, PA and 9.0m to Morrisville, NJ.

Traffic schemes and VTS

There is a Traffic Separation Scheme in place in the approaches to Delaware Bay. This comprises two one-way lanes: The East TSS approach and the SE TSS approach and a two-way route.

Both areas are monitored 24 hours.

Vessel Reporting System (VRS)

Participation:

The following vessels are asked to participate in the Delaware River and Bay VRS:

(a) All powered vessels of LOA 40m or more

(b) All vessels of LOA 8m or more whilst towing

(c) All vessels certified to carry 50 passengers or more for hire, whilst working, except when doing so on a published schedule

(d) All dredgers or floating plant employed in the vicinity of the main channels or anchorages if likely to affect the navigation of other vessels. Unmanned or intermittently manned floating plant being under the control of a dredger

Procedure:

Participating vessels within the VRS area should monitor VHF Ch 14 at all times and respond promptly when hailed

Vessels operating in the vicinity of the main channels or sea lanes within the VRS area, but not participating in the VRS, are asked to:

(a) Monitor VHF Ch 13 and respond promptly when called

(b) Contact Delaware Maritime Exchange when required, to obtain details of large vessels operating within the area

(c) Not impede the navigation of large vessels using the sea lanes, channels and anchorages

Reporting:

VRS participants are required to report the following information to Delaware Maritime Exchange:

1. Sailing plan (check in) to be submitted before entering or getting under way within the VRS and should include:

(a) Vessel's name

(b) Location

(c) Destination, including any intended additional callings and and/or anchorages

(d) Tow configuration (number of laden/unladen barges)

(e) Nature of cargo

2. Sailing Plan Deviation to be submitted in the event of any change to intended destination.

3. Position report including name of vessel and position when passing the following Reporting Points:

(a) Off Harbor or Refuge Lt station (in-bound only)

(b) Marcus Hook Range

(c) Mifflin Range

(d) Any other location which may be directed by Delaware Maritime Exchange

(4) Final report (check out)

Check in and check out points:

Delaware Maritime Exchange area:

(a) Brown Shoal Lt Bn (38°55.35'N 75°06.05'W) when passing from Pilot Traffic Tower to Delaware Maritime Exchange systems

(b) Biddle Point (39°33.26'N 75°37.06'W) navigating Eastbound on the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal

(c) Reedy Point (39°33.65'N 75°33.89'W) navigating Westbound at the entrance to the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal

Pilot Traffic Tower area:

(a) Inbound at McCrie Shoal Gong Lt Buoy 2MS (38°50.60'N 74°50.28'W)

(b) Inbound on entering the Five Fathom sea lane

(c) Inbound on entering the Delaware sea lane

Anchorage Intentions and Reports:

All vessels intending to anchor anywhere within the Delaware Bay or River are required to notify Delaware Maritime Exchange prior to arrival at the intended anchorage, including the anchorage position, ETA and reason for anchoring.

Vessels are further required to notify Delaware Maritime Exchange of any changes to anchorage intentions, including changes to ETA.

Vessels reporting anchorage intentions will be notified by Delaware Maritime Exchange of:

(a) Any other vessels in the anchorages along with their ETD

(b) Any other vessels en-route the anchorage

(c) Current limitations affecting the intended anchorage

(d) Any other potential conflicts with the intention to anchor

All vessels anchored with in the Delaware Bay and River area are required to:

(a) Continuously monitor VHF Ch 14 and 16

(b) Report to Delaware Maritime Exchange, any change to vessel's intended ETD from the anchorage

(c) Ensure that the vessel's AIS transponder is switched on, fully operational and transmitting correctly while underway and at anchor.

Vessels leaving an anchorage are required to submit a Sailing Plan to Delaware Maritime Exchange

Final Report:

Participants are required to submit a report with name of vessel and position as follows:

(a) On arriving at destination within the VRS

(b) On departing from the VRS area

All communications must be made in English.

Anchorages

There are federally designated anchorages available.

Quarantine Anchorage Area centred on position located approx. 39° 48.756'N 75° 23.460'W.

General Anchorage No. 7 centred on position located approx. 39° 48.034'N 75° 24.930'W.

Restrictions

The PORTS program for calculating max draught is in use at this port.

North Atlantic right whales: From1st November to 30th April a Seasonal Management Area is established at the entrance to Delaware Bay. A maximum speed restriction of 10kts is imposed in this vicinity during this period to reduce the danger of ship strikes on North Atlantic right whales.

Tugs

Wilmington Tug, Inc. also provide tugs.

Charts and publications

BA 2603, 2670; NOAA 12312, 12314. Admiralty Pilot NP69, NP286(5).

Reporting before arrival

updated Feb 2019

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Other vessels must submit a request for pilot with ETA and draught at least 8 hours in advance and a confirmation at least 2 hours before arrival.

All inbound vessels are requested to contact the pilots on arrival at Delaware Lightbuoy D (38°27.3'N 074°41.8'W) or Five Fathom Lightbuoy F (38°47.2'N 74°34.6'W).

Vessels arriving in first US port: Please see country information.

Communications

VHF: Ch 16 and 14.

Pilot office: Tel: +1 215 465 8340, Fax: +1 215 465 3970

Telex: +255 5101002653 delpilots pha. Email: [email protected].

Pilot station: VHF: Ch 14, 16, 13. Tel: +1 302 645 8538.Fax: +1 302 645 7822.

Maritime Exchange: Call: "Delaware Maritime Exchange", VHF: Ch 14, 13, 16.

Tel: +1 215 925 1524.

Documents

Marcus Hook Industrial Complex (MHIC) - No later than 24hrs prior to vessel's arrival, vessel's agent shall provide the following information to the Facility Security Officer (via fax (856)/686-8004) or email to the Sunoco Operations Supervisor (at [email protected]):

1. For each U.S. port of arrival, provide name of receiving facility, port or place of destination, city and state;

2. Estimated date and ETA of vessel's arrival at the facility;

3. Name of vessel;

4. Vessel's country of registry;

5. Vessel's call sign;

6. Vessel's IMO or official number;

7. Name of vessel's registered owner;

8. Name of vessel's operator;

9. Name of vessel's classification society;

10. General description of cargo on board;

11. Name of the port from which vessel last departed and date of departure;

12. Name and telephone number of a 24hr point of contact for each port;

13. Location and position of vessel at time the notice of arrival is provided;

14. List of crew members onboard the vessel, including the following with respect to each crew member:

a) Full name

b) DOB

c) Nationality

d) Passport number or mariners document number

e) Position or duties on the vessel;

15. List of persons in addition to the crew, including the following:

a) Full name

b) DOB

c) Nationality

d) Passport number.

Any changes to this information must be reported ASAP, but no less than 24hrs before entering the port of destination.

Health

No action initiated unless there is illness onboard.

Ship Sanitation Control Certificates: Please see country information.

Quarantine: The federal quarantine station for Delaware River ports, is situated at Marcus Hook (39°49.0'N 075°25.0'W). Quarantine is enforced in accordance with regulations of United States Health Service. Unless otherwise directed, vessels subject to inspection by quarantine, customs, immigrations and agricultural quarantine officials, are normally boarded by the relevant officials on arrival at their berths.

Customs and immigration

For crew not to be detained onboard, each crew member must have a visa in their passport or Seaman's Book.

Notices and regulations

Coastguard Vessel Inspection: Please see country information.

Inspections

Port State Control here: US Coast Guard.

Foreign ships are examined by the US Coast Guard. File the Advance Notice of Arrival 96 hours ahead (33 CFR 160).

ISPS

ISPS Designated Authority: United States Coast Guard, Office of Compliance. Address: 2100 Second St, SW, Washington DC, 20593, USA. Tel: +1 202 267 2978. Fax: +1 202 267 4858. Email: [email protected]. For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www2.imo.org/ISPSCode.

Port services

updated Jul 2023

Repairs

Available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Available.

Stores: Available

Medical

Nearest hospital: Crozer-Chester Medical Center, 8.6km.

Transport

Nearest airport: Philadelphia International Airport, 18.0km.

Nearest railway: Ridley Park, 12.7km.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

About Marcus Hook

updated Jul 2023

Where it is

Situated on the Atlantic Seaboard, Marcus Hook is located on the NW bank of the Delaware River approx 40nm upstream from the river mouth and immediately SW of the of the Commodore Barry Bridge.

The port

Marcus Hook is one of the "Ports of Philadelphia" within the Delaware River Port Area. The main activities of the port are in receiving and refining crude oil, and the shipping of petroleum products as well Natural Gas Liquids (NGL). Besides, a private terminal operated by Eastern Salt Co handles salt.

Traffic

Approx. 17,000,000t of cargo handled annually.

Questions about Marcus Hook

What are the pilot arrangements at Marcus Hook?

Compulsory and available 24 hours.

What time zone is Marcus Hook in?

Local time at Marcus Hook is UTC−5. Clocks go to UTC−4 on 14 Mar 2027. Back to UTC−5 on 7 Nov 2027.

What is the maximum draft at Marcus Hook?

The deepest berth listed is at Marcus Hook Industrial Complex (MHIC): 13.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Marcus Hook?

1000.

Which load line zone is Marcus Hook in?

Summer Zone for vessels over LOA 100m and Winter Seasonal Area for vessels of LOA 100m or less, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Who carries out Port State Control at Marcus Hook?

Port State Control at Marcus Hook: US Coast Guard.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Marcus Hook?

The UN/LOCODE of Marcus Hook is USMAH.

Tips from seafarers

What crews who called at Marcus Hook 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.

Read and add tips for Marcus Hook →

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A planning aid, not for navigation. These facts come from public sources and each section shows how old it is. Check with the port, your agent, your ENCs and official publications. Spotted something wrong? Tell us on the feedback board.