Neath

1. Neath pilot boarding place Pilot boards51°35.0′N 003°53.0′W

Size limits

LOA 92m, draught 5.8m, 3,500DWT.

Water density

1005.

Load line zone

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

Tides

Range of tides experienced is from 4.4m to 8.3m.

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 channel formed by the outlet of River Neath, lies 1.5nm SW of Witford Point. The channel, with least depth 7.1m MHWS and 4.0m at MHWN, leads NE and lies between 2 training walls 76m apart. The SE training wall is marked by 3 red masts, at 0.5nm intervals, from each of which a light is exhibited, the outer mast being situated 0.5nm within its outer end.

A directional light is exhibited from a metal framework tower 0.4nm N of Witford Point.

The NW training wall, which is marked by buoys (port hand), has been extended to within 0.15nm of the lightbuoy (starboard hand) which marks the entrance to the channel.

From the inner end of the SE training wall a lower training wall extends 0.2nm ENE to a low slag embankment which continues ENE to the S entrance of Briton Ferry (1nm inside the river entrance) tidal basin and forms the SE side of the channel. Depths in the river are less than those in the channel.

Submarine pipelines marked by beacons, cross the entrance channel close below the W end of the slag embankment. A light is exhibited from the beacon at the W end.

A turning basin exists off Baglan Bay. If necessary a vessel can also be turned off the entrance to Briton Ferry.

Port limits

The port of Neath is bounded by a line, drawn from a position on the shore, SE of Witford Point (51°37.0'N 003°50.0'W), in a SSW direction, then 278° for 2.5nm and then NNE to the shore.

Anchorages

There is good anchorage in the outer roadstead between Mumbles Head (51°34'N 003°58'W) and Outer Green Grounds; a locally recommended anchorage lies S of the pilot boarding aground about 1(5nm SSE of Mumbles Head in a depth of 20.0m.

Restrictions

There are no restrictions to arrival and departure, only subject to tidal conditions and weather.

M4 road bridge spans the river 0.2nm above Briton Ferry outer basin, it has a vertical clearance of 29m and a width of 61m below the centre of the central span. Lights are exhibited from the W pier.

River Neath Road Bridge spans the river close upstream of the M4 motorway bridge, it has a vertical clearance of 27m over a width of 61m below the centre of the central span.

Overhead cables span the river in the following positions: At 100m below River Neath Bridge, vertical clearance 42m. Also approx 70m above River Neath Road Bridge, vertical clearance 28m.

Tugs

Tugs are available from Swansea.

Charts and publications

BA 8264, 1161. Admiralty Pilot NP37, NP286(1).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessels can advise ETA and arrival draught by telephone or by direct communication with the pilot vessel.

Communications

VHF: Pilots & Port: Ch 16, 08, 77

Neath Port Authority:

Tel: 01639 633486

Fax: 01693 631040

E-mail: [email protected]

Notices and regulations

Bye-laws are in effect at the port, copies are available from the Port Authority.

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

There are no repair facilities at Neath. Nearest facilities are located at Swansea.

Bunkers, water and stores

Stores: Available locally or from Swansea.

Medical

Hospital at Neath.

Transport

Nearest airport: Swansea, 19.3km. Cardiff, 56km,

Airport facilities: Domestic and European connections.

Nearest railway: Neath.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Neath is a small port located on the S coast of Wales approx 10nm NE of Swansea, along River Neath which flow into the NE corner of Swansea Bay.

The port

The port handles mainly small chemical tankers and vessels up to 3,500DWT and comprises several wharves along both banks of the river, including Baglan Bay and Briton ferry.

Main commodities are chemicals, cement, steel, sand and gravel, containers and general cargo.

Traffic

Approx 350,000t of cargo and 200 vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Neath?

The pilot boards at Neath pilot boarding place, 51°35.0′N 003°53.0′W.

What time zone is Neath in?

Local time at Neath 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 Neath?

The deepest berth listed is at BP Chemicals Baglan Bay: 5.80 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Neath?

1005.

Which load line zone is Neath 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 Neath?

Port State Control at Neath: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Neath?

The UN/LOCODE of Neath is GBNEA.

What crews who called at Neath 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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