Morlaix

Size limits

LOA 63m, max draught 4.0m springs (3.0m neaps), bridge vertical clearance 30m.

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

Mean spring range 7.6m; mean neap range 3.7m.

Tidal streams: Between the anchorage off Kerarmel (48°39'N 003°51'W) and Toul Mahot bend, approximately 0.6nm above Locquenole, the rate of the ingoing stream does not exceed 2kts at springs; above this bend the ingoing stream is only felt at springs when there is not a freshet in the river.

Approach

Morlaix River is entered between Locquenole (48°37.5'N 003°51.5'W), a small drying harbour used by fishing boats, on the W side and its confluence with Le Dourduff Riviere, which is impounded, on its E side.

Limiting conditions. The river is navigable by vessels of up to 63m in length, with draughts of up to 4.0m at springs and 3.0m at neaps, as far as the port of Morlaix, approx 3nm above Locquenole. The channel is tortuous and contains some bends, which for vessels exceeding 50m in length, can present some difficulty in negotiating. The river dries 3.6m and is marked by buoys (port and starboard hand) and by beacons and leading marks.

The wet dock is entered from Avant-port through the lock which has a usable length of 63m, width 16m. The outer and inner sills of the lock are 2.2m and 3.1m respectively above CD. The lock is normally operated from 1.5 hours before until 1 hour after HW, but exceptionally outside these times if there is more than 2.5m of water over the sill as indicated by the tide-gauge situated close outside the lock entrance.

Anchorages

Anchorage off Kerarmel (48°39'N 003°51'W).

Anchorage is prohibited in the channel between the S end of Rade de Morlaix and the port of Morlaix.

Restrictions

Navigation in Morlaix River is not permitted at night except by vessels fitted with a searchlight having an effective beam of not less than 0.1nm.

Vertical clearance: Vertical clearance is 30m under a bridge spanning the river 0.1nm seaward of the lock at Morlaix.

Charts and publications

BA 2745. Admiralty Pilot NP27, NP286(1).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Notify Roscoff-Bloscon pilot station or Harbour Master of ETA 24 hours prior to arrival with confirmation 3 hours before arrival.

Notice of readiness

NOR should be tendered in accordance with the Charter Party.

Health

Request for pratique to be made on arrival at the pilot station.

Customs and immigration

Customs allowances: For each crew member 200 cigarettes and 1 bottle of spirits.

New Customs forms are to be completed, for vessels sailing between two French ports.

Immigration may require Crew List and valid passports to be shown.

Port State Control here: Paris MOU, Indian Ocean 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

Position: Head of Sea Defense.

Address: 22 Rue Monge, Paris, F-75005, France

Tel: +33 01 40 81 85 30

Fax: +33 01 40 81 70 53

Mob: +33 06 17 15 01 80

Email: [email protected]

For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www.imo.org

Repairs

Minor repairs available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Medical

Morlaix.

Transport

Nearest airport: Morlaix-Ploujean and Brest-Guipavas.

Airport facilities: Morlaix, domestic connections only.

Brest: Brest/Paris, Brest/Toulouse.

Nearest railway: Roscoff, 1.5km from ferry terminal.

Working hours

Normally 0800-1700hrs. Overtime available.

Where it is

Morlaix is located approx 3nm up the Morlaix River, 18km SE of Roscoff, on N coast of France.

The port

It consists of an Avant-port and a wet dock. The latter is formed by a barrage, which acts as a weir across the river.

The lock leading to the wet dock is situated at the W end of the barrage.

Traffic

Approx 32,000t of cargo handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Morlaix?

Pilot boards near the Pot-de-Fer Buoy (48°44.3'N 003°53.9'W) or near Melonie Buoy (48°45.6'N 003°50.6'W).

What time zone is Morlaix in?

Local time at Morlaix is UTC+1. Clocks go to UTC+2 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC+1 on 31 Oct 2027.

What is the water density at Morlaix?

1025.

Which load line zone is Morlaix 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 Morlaix?

Port State Control at Morlaix: Paris MOU, Indian Ocean MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Morlaix?

The UN/LOCODE of Morlaix is FRMXN.

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