PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Newhaven
Pilot
updated Jul 2018Pilotage is compulsory for all vessels over LOA 49m and LOA 20m when carrying dangerous goods. Pilots board by arrangement approx 1nm to the SW of the breakwater. In severe weather the pilot boat leads vessel in, keeping 100m from the breakwater.
Notify ETA 12 hours prior to arrival. Request for a pilot should be sent 1 hour in advance to Newhaven Radio on VHF Ch12.
Key data
updated Aug 2010Size limits
LOA 160m, draught 7.5m. Larger vessels will take to the bottom of soft mud at LW.
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 6.3m springs, 3.1m neaps.
At the entrance both the ingoing and outgoing tidal streams attain a rate of 2kts at springs.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ferry Terminal | 5.90 m | 145 m | 2 |
| East Quay Commercial Terminal | — | 120 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 Jul 2018Approach
The approach to Newhaven is direct from seaward then through a maintained channel protected to the W by a breakwater. The channel leads N between piers which form the entrance, then to the harbour, which is a continuation N of the maintained channel.
The entrance is dredged to a min of 6.0m.
Caution: High speed ferries with speeds of up to 40kts may be encountered in the approaches to the port.
Tide dependant can be considered as NAABSA Berth.
Port limits
The W boundary of the port is formed by the breakwater then a line to a point 90m S of the breakwater head. The S boundary is a line of bearing 075° from this point to the intersection with the coast.
Traffic schemes and VTS
Entry and departure from the port is regulated by International Port Traffic Signals, exhibited from a mast at E quay and the NW corner of No 2 Ro-Ro Berth.
Before leaving a berth, vessels must request permission to proceed from Newhaven Radio Port Control on VHF or by telephone.
Bridge signals controlling traffic through the swing bridge are exhibited from a tower (6.0m in height on the E side of the river) close downstream of the bridge as follows;
Bridge opening are arranged with prior contact with Port Control. The bridge control station may be contacted on VHF Callsign ''Bridge Control''.
Anchorages
Outer anchorage: Good anchorage may be obtained in a depth of approx 7.0m in Seaford Road on the alignment 109° of the foot of Seaford Cliff with Beachy Head Old Lighthouse (50°44'N 000°13'E) and Seaford Church tower bearing 055°.
The anchorage is clear of the track of cross channel ferries using Newhaven and is sheltered from winds from ESE through N to WNW.
Tugs
There is a 1,300hp tug available at all times.
Charts and publications
BA 536, 2154, 1652. Admiralty Pilot NP28, NP286 (1).
Reporting before arrival
updated Jul 2018ETA and pre-arrival notices
Notify ETA 12 hours prior to arrival. Request for a pilot should be sent 1 hour in advance.
Communications
VHF: Port Control: Ch 12, callsign "Newhaven Radio".
Port Operations: Tel: 01273 616075
Email: [email protected]
Documents
The only documentation required on arrival is the Visiting Vessel's Notice of Arrival, which is taken onboard by the port supervisor when vessels berth. This is completed by the Master and then collected by the Port Operator. Frequent visitors have other arrangements made for them.
Health
Ship Sanitation Control and Exemption Certificates can be issued.
Notices and regulations
No vessel may enter or leave harbour, or any dock, lock or basin in contravention of traffic signals indicating the entry or departure is forbidden, or without the authority of Port Control or the Harbour Master.
No vessel may be navigated so as to interfere in any manner with the arrival or departure of an advertised passenger steamer.
When navigating in the harbour N of an imaginary line drawn from the head of West Pier, a speed limit of 5kts may not be exceeded. In any other part of the harbour no vessel may proceed at a speed exceeding 8kts.
Dredgers must be passed at low speed and on the side indicated by the signals prescribed for the dredger (which are in accordance with The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea).
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.
Port services
updated May 2010Repairs
Repairs to hull and engine are available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: Most types of fuel are available by road tanker.
Medical
There is a port medical officer available. Major medical facilities are available in Brighton, 5km to the W of Newhaven.
Transport
Nearest airport: Gatwick, Sussex (54km).
Airport facilities: Domestic and international connections. Full crew change and air freight facilities.
Nearest railway: Newhaven.
Nearest motorway: A27 or A259.
Working hours
Throughout 24 hours.
About Newhaven
updated Jul 2026Where it is
Newhaven is located at the mouth of the River Ouse, W of Beachy Head, on the SE coast of England.
The port
The port has two ferry terminals and handles general cargo, bulk and containers. Ro-Ro vessels can be accommodated at the port.
Traffic
Approx 1,000,000t of cargo, 900 vessels and 277,000 passengers are handled annually.
Questions about Newhaven
What are the pilot arrangements at Newhaven?
Pilotage is compulsory for all vessels over LOA 49m and LOA 20m when carrying dangerous goods.
What time zone is Newhaven in?
Local time at Newhaven 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 Newhaven?
The deepest berth listed is at Ferry Terminal: 5.90 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Newhaven?
1025.
Which load line zone is Newhaven 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 Newhaven?
Port State Control at Newhaven: Paris MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Newhaven?
The UN/LOCODE of Newhaven is GBNHV.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Newhaven 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.