PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Methil
Pilot
updated Apr 2026Pilotage is compulsory for vessels over LOA 45m. Pilots available from Forth and Tay Navigation Services. Prior notice to the Pilot Station 24 hours in advance. followed by compulsory ETA must be given 12 hours in advance.
Contact: Forth Pilot Station at Granton on VHF Ch 71.
Pilot boards:
Inbound: By arrangement at a position off the port.
Outbound: between No 4 and No 2 Lightbuoys, keeping S of the Forth Deep Water Channel.
Key data
updated Aug 2019Size limits
Max LOA 100m, beam 14m, and up to 3,000DWT.
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 4.8m spring, 2.4m neap.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Methil Dock | 5.10 m | 100 m | 3 |
| Methil Energy Park Terminal | — | 157 m | 2 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated May 2026Approach
From a position S of Elie Ness (56°11.5'N 002°49'W) the route leads WNW diverging N from the main approach route passing S of Largo Bay through the anchorage area to a position S of the entrance to Methil Harbour. The track then rounds to the N for the harbour entrance, passing (with positions from the harbour entrance):
E of the wharf (length 190m) (0.35nm SW) which partly dries alongside with 2 wet docks at its S end, associated with oil rig construction yard then W of Outer Pierhead Light (white tower, 8.0m in height) and the entrance to No 3 Dock (now disused), then into the channel which leads to No 2 Dock (0.1nm NNW) formed by 2 piers each marked by a light (masts 4.0m in height) at their S extremities.
Caution: Vessels waiting for sufficient water to enter the docks should stay in depths greater than 13m.
Restrictions
Entrance from the Firth of Forth is through a lock. Lock gate No 2 has a width of 15.2m (max beam of vessel 14m). Lock gates open normally from 3 hours before HW until HW.
Tugs
Available from Forth Estuary Towage Ltd based at Leith, Tel: +44 131 553 552 1420, Fax: +44 131 553 1624.
Charts and publications
BA 741,733,734,735. Admiralty Pilot NP54, NP286(1).
Reporting before arrival
updated Apr 2026ETA and pre-arrival notices
Notify Forth & Tay Navigation Service of ETA, at Fairway Lightbuoy (56°03.5'N 003°00'W) 24 hours prior to arrival, amending the time if it becomes more than 2 hours in error.
Communications
VHF: Pilots: Forth Ports Pilots. Tel: +44 1315 521420.
Forth and Tay Navigation Service: Ch 71.
Docks: Ch 16, 14, 71. Callsign "Forth Navigation". Tel: +44 1324 498584, Fax: +44 1324 668480. Hours: 3hrs before HW.
Documents
Standard UK port arrival documents apply.
Inspections
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.
About Methil
updated May 2026Where it is
Methil is located on the S bank of the River Leven, on the W side of Largo Bay on the E coast of Scotland.
The port
The port consists of Methil Dock 2 and Methil Energy Park quay area.
Methil Dock 2 are protected to the E by an outer pier and entered from the S via a short channel through a15m wide gates which are normally open from 2 hours before HW until HW.
Dock 3 is disused, and its entry channel lie to the E of the working docks.
Cargo handled: Timber, break bulk, steel product, offshore and heavy project cargo.
Traffic
Approx 50 vessels annually.
Questions about Methil
What are the pilot arrangements at Methil?
Pilotage is compulsory for vessels over LOA 45m.
What time zone is Methil in?
Local time at Methil 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 Methil?
The deepest berth listed is at Methil Dock: 5.10 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Methil?
1025.
Which load line zone is Methil 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 Methil?
Port State Control at Methil: Paris MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Methil?
The UN/LOCODE of Methil is GBMTH.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Methil 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.
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.