Portland

1. Portland Inner pilot boarding point (vessels <180 m LOA) Pilot boards50°36.0′N 002°24.0′W

Size limits

Draught 10.7m, LOA 350m, beam and DWT unrestricted.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

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

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

Approach

There are 3 entrances to the harbour, but the southern entrance is blocked by a totally submerged sunken vessel. This acts as a swell reduction mechanism for the inner harbour berths and the entrance is not available for use by commercial shipping.

The main commercial vessel access is either from the North or East Ship Channels, both 200m wide. The East Ship Channel has a min depth of 13.8m which shoals to 12.5m just inside the entrance. The North Ship Channel, min depth 12.4m, allows a washing current to enter the harbour, which then rotates anti-clockwise around the harbour, past and through the jetties before exiting via the South and East Ship Channels. The presence of this current ensures that the harbour is self scouring and requires an extremely low level of maintenance dredging.

Port limits

There are two dedicated anchorage areas. One located in the Inner Harbour and the other in the Outer Harbour.

Bunkering and / or lubricant deliveries will take place at one of the two hazardous cargo anchorages.

The anchorage in the outer harbour is defined as an area enclosed by the following points:

50° 36'00N - 002° 23'90W

50° 36'00N - 002° 25'80W

50° 35'10N - 002° 24'40W

50° 35'10N - 002° 23'90W

The anchorage area within the inner harbour encompasses the existing hazardous cargo anchorages and is defined as an area within the harbour to the east of the following line:

'From the north-east corner of Phoenix Pier due north as far as latitude 50° 35'00''N and then north-easterly to the north-western extremity of the north-eastern breakwater.

Traffic schemes and VTS

The Vessels Information Service is operational throughout 24 hours to assist in movements and berthing within the Inner and Outer Harbour. The VIS also acts as an Emergency Control Centre for Portland Harbour's Emergency Plan and Spill Contingency Plan.

Anchorages

Vessels seeking shelter from W'ly gales are likely to find more room and better shelter outside the breakwaters in Weymouth Bay, where the holding ground is good. Contact Portland Harbour Radio for anchorage allocation.

BAD WEATHER REFUGE ANCHORAGE:

Vessels less than LOA 150m, not being serviced by Portland Port Ltd or Weymouth Harbour Authorities are exempt from compulsory pilotage for arrival at and departure from the refuge anchorage only.

There are two dedicated anchorage areas. One located in the Inner Harbour and the other in the Outer Harbour.

Bunkering and / or lubricant deliveries will take place at one of the two hazardous cargo anchorages.

The anchorage in the outer harbour is defined as an area enclosed by the following points:

50° 36'00N - 002° 23'90W

50° 36'00N - 002° 25'80W

50° 35'10N - 002° 24'40W

50° 35'10N - 002° 23'90W

The anchorage area within the inner harbour encompasses the existing hazardous cargo anchorages and is defined as an area within the harbour to the east of the following line:

'From the north-east corner of Phoenix Pier due north as far as latitude 50° 35'00''N and then north-easterly to the north-western extremity of the north-eastern breakwater.

Max. draught is 19m.

Restrictions

Port Capabilities:

Very little beam and draft restriction with width at harbour entrance at 210 m and depth at 12.4 m.

Tugs

A tug is always available for arrivals and departures if 2 hours notice is given. Three large harbour tugs, ''Wyke Castle'' bollard pull 28t, "Maiden Castle" bollard pull 55t and "Rufus Castle" bollard pull 50t. Additional tugs are available with prior notice, tugs' lines are used. To order tugs contact Portland Towage, Tel: +44 1305 821599.

Vessels requiring 2 or more tugs must give 12 hours notice with confirmation 2 hours before requirement.

The following vessels are subject to compulsory towage upon entering the Portland Harbour Limits.

The above compulsory towage is for single screw vessels.

Charts and publications

BA 2454, 3315, 2268, 2255, 2610. Admiralty Pilot NP27, NP286(1).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

ETD: All vessels for lay up or cargo handling, must give notice of 12 hours for sailing (preferred) or 2 hours for sailing (min).

Vessel carrying dangerous or polluting cargoes are required to complete a checklist in accordance with MSN 1784(M) prior to entry.

Communications

Radio: Niton Radio coast station is recommended for passing messages at long range.

VHF: Portland Harbour Radio: Ch 14, 16, 20, 28, 71, 74. Portland Port Tel: 01305 824044 and email: [email protected]

Port Operations: Ch 74, callsign "Portland Harbour Radio". All vessel in/outbound to or from the Inner harbour must report to Portland Harbour Radio VHF Ch 74 on passing Reporting Points PE or PN.

Pilots: Ch 09, 74.

Tugs; Ch 71, 74.

Documents

Port Arrival Form and Waste Declaration Form are required.

Customs and immigration

HM Customs (Poole) Tel: +44 1202 634500.

Immigration (Poole) Tel: +44 1202 673658.

Notices and regulations

All vessels must request permission before weighing anchor or leaving alongside berths.

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

The boat lift pier to the E of the Coaling Pier access bridge has been leased to a ship repair and refurbishing company, Manor Marine Ltd. Also available are underwater divers for all aspect of underwater maintenance including: repairs, welding, hull cleaning and propeller polish.

Dry docks

There are 2 x 380DWT vessel slipways available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at all berths. There are usually 2 connections at each berth capable of delivering water at a rate of approx 25tph.

Bunkering: Marine gas oil available at PBI berth or oil bunker barge at a rate of approx 100tph. The former naval bunker facilities have been refurbished to offer weather-sheltered fuelling facilities. There are 2 dedicated anchorage areas, one in the Inner Harbour and the other in the Outer Harbour which can serve vessels up to 19.0m draught. Deliveries by barge can be provided by the 2,500t capacity double-hulled "Brabourne".

Stores: Available.

Medical

Portland Hospital and Weymouth District Hospital for minor emergencies, Dorchester Hospital (major hospital).

Crew change

Crew change is possible.

Transport

Nearest airport: Hurn, Bournemouth (56km), Southampton (112km).

Nearest railway: Weymouth (4km)

Nearest highway: Connected to all mainland roads A354, A37, A31.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Portland is situated on the S coast of England, in western approaches to the English Channel.

The port

Portland Harbour and port are owned and operated by Portland Port Ltd. The harbour is well protected from the prevailing SW'ly winds and is circled by an extensive breakwater system which protects it from adverse E'ly weather. The harbour is approximately 20nm from the main English Channel Routing Scheme. The jetties and shore installations are currently concentrated on the S section of the Inner Harbour where the deep water comes close to the shore and provides shelter from the prevailing SW'ly winds.

There are over 2,000m of alongside berths with depths of up to 11.6m. Anchorages are available within the inner and outer harbours, with depths over 15.0m.

Coaling Pier Island: In total over 600m of quay length on 2.8ha of quay apron and flat storage area.

The Coaling Pier is an island, accessed by a short road bridge capable of taking 250t loads. On the eastern part of the N side of this island lies the Deep Water Berth which is a suspended concrete deck structure supported by steel piles accessed by a road bridge and suitable for vessels up to 70,000DWT and particularly suitable ship replenishment activities.

Traffic

Approx 34,000 passengers and 370 vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at Portland?

The pilot boards at Portland Inner pilot boarding point (vessels <180 m LOA), 50°36.0′N 002°24.0′W.

What time zone is Portland in?

Local time at Portland 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 Portland?

The deepest berth listed is at PBI Terminal: 13.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Portland?

1025.

Which load line zone is Portland 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 Portland?

Port State Control at Portland: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Portland?

The UN/LOCODE of Portland is GBPTL.

What crews who called at Portland 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 Portland →