PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Richmond
Pilot
updated Nov 2017Pilotage is compulsory and available 24 hours through the Virginia Pilot Association. Requests for Pilots should be made 6 hours in advance, together with any changes of more than 1 hour. The pilot boat has an orange hull, grey superstructure with "Pilot" on each side. Pilot from sea are boarded at Cape Henry, vessels requesting a river pilot only are boarded off Sewells Point.
Vessels up to 77.7m (255ft) may transit at night from Hopewell to the Port of Richmond.
Key data
updated Nov 2017Size limits
LOA 170m, beam 26.0m, draught 6.7m.
Water density
1025.
Load line zone
Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.
Tides
Range 1.1m (springs), 0.9m (neaps).
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| James River Plant | — | — | 1 |
| Kinder Morgan Southeast Terminals (KMST) | — | — | 1 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated Nov 2017Approach
The port is entered via a channel between Hampton Roads and the James River, approx 67nm above the mouth.
The channel has a length of 145km, width 91.4m and a depth of 7.6m.
Turning Basin: 198m in length, 174m wide and a depth of 6.70m.
Traffic schemes and VTS
Contact Virginia Pilot Association, Tel: +1 757 496 0995.
Anchorages
A general anchorage extends for approx 7nm above the mouth of the James River, S of Newport News Point.
Restrictions
Navigation may be restricted for some vessels during certain night hours, check with Virginia Pilot Association.
Tugs
Available from Blaha Towing, Tel: +1 804 240 5652. Recommended for vessels over 91m that are not equipped with bow thrusters.
Mooring
There is a dock turning basin 198m (650ft) x 174m (570ft), in a depth of 6.7m (22ft).
Charts and publications
US Chart 12252. Admiralty Pilot NP69, NP286(5).
Inspections
Port State Control here: US Coast Guard.
Foreign ships are examined by the US Coast Guard. File the Advance Notice of Arrival 96 hours ahead (33 CFR 160).
ISPS
ISPS Designated Authority: United States Coast Guard, Office of Compliance. Address: 2100 Second St, SW, Washington DC, 20593, USA. Tel: +1 202 267 2978. Fax: +1 202 267 4858. Email: [email protected]. For further ISPS information see IMO website http://www2.imo.org/ISPSCode.
Port services
updated Nov 2017Repairs
There are not available in the port, the nearest available facilities are in the Hampton Roads
Dry docks
Not available.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: Available by road tanker.
Medical
McGuire VA Hospital, 6km.
Crew change
Available.
Transport
Nearest airport: Richmond International Airport, 11km.
Nearest railway: Richmond Main Street Station, 9km.
Working hours
Normally 0800-1200hrs, 1300-1700hrs.
About Richmond
updated Oct 2022Where it is
Port of Richmond is situated on the James River in Richmond (Virginia), approx 56nm NNW of Newport News (Virginia).
The port
The port is owned by the City of Richmond, leased to Virginia Port Authority and operated by PCI of Virginia, LLC, a private company which is handles containers, dry bulk and general cargo via barge services.
There are also a number of privately owned berths, mainly used by barge traffic carrying liquid and dry bulk cargo operated by Veolia and Kinder Morgan.
Questions about Richmond
What are the pilot arrangements at Richmond?
Pilotage is compulsory and available 24 hours through the Virginia Pilot Association.
What time zone is Richmond in?
Local time at Richmond is UTC−5. Clocks go to UTC−4 on 14 Mar 2027. Back to UTC−5 on 7 Nov 2027.
What is the water density at Richmond?
1025.
Which load line zone is Richmond in?
Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.
Who carries out Port State Control at Richmond?
Port State Control at Richmond: US Coast Guard.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Richmond?
The UN/LOCODE of Richmond is USRIC.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Richmond 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.