Teesport

1. River Tees pilot boarding Pilot boards54°38.4′N 001°08.4′W
2. Tees Pilot Station Alpha Pilot boards54°41.3′N 001°04.0′W

Size limits

LOA 305m, beam 48.09m, draught 17m, 190,000DWT.

Water density

1025. Lower reaches, salt water, but can vary with fresh water down flow following heavy rain/snow. Vessels loading to specified draught marks are advised to check.

Load line zone

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

Tides

MHWS 5.5m, MHWN 4.3m. Rate at springs 2-3kts in each direction. Strong winds from NW through N to NE increase level of tide.

Potash Berth - MHWS 4.6m, MHWN 2.3m.

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

Port limits

The seaward limits lie between Black Halls Point and W Scar and 2-4nm offshore.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Vessel Traffic Service Scheme with full radar surveillance (12nm range) is maintained for the control of shipping, covering Tees Bay, Tees River to tidal limits and Hartlepool. Port operation and information service is maintained continuously.

Information service: Vessels may obtain navigational advice and port operations information at any time by calling Tees VTS on VHF Ch 14 or by telephone, fax or telex.

Radar surveillance: Provides harbour surveillance radar covering the River Tees, Tees and Hartlepool Bays and approaches seawards for ranges up to 12nm.

Anchorages

Note: The areas defined in (1) and (2) above are within the magenta pecked lines shown on Admiralty Charts No 2566 (Tees and Hartlepool Bays) and No 2567 (Approaches to Tees Bay).

Caution: Masters are advised that in N'ly and E'ly gales vessels are prone to drag anchor, therefore in these circumstances they should take early action to heave anchor and proceed to sea.

The Master of a vessel must only enter the prohibited anchorage areas defined above for the purpose of navigating as expeditiously as possible through those areas.

Restrictions

A power cable with 61.9m safe clearance at MHWS spans the river just above Teesport and at the same place a tunnel crosses the river.

A transporter bridge spans the river above Middlesbrough Dock, clearance 48.8m MHWS.

All movements of vessels exceeding 20m in length in the approach channel and within the port require permission from the Harbour Master.

No night restrictions for dangerous cargo vessels.

Charts and publications

BA 2566, 134, 152, 1191. US Publication 192. Admiralty Pilot NP54, NP286(1)

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Vessels over 20m length are required to give 6 hours notice of their ETA and ETD and movements within the port. Vessels carrying dangerous cargo must give at least 24 hours notice of ETA to Harbour Master.

Communications

VHF: Port/VTS: Ch 14, callsign "Tees VTS". Tel: +44 1642 277205, Fax: +44 1642 277207, Email: [email protected].

Pilots: Ch 16, 09. Tel: +44 1642 485648. Fax: +44 1642 472991.

Pilot Vessel: Ch 16, 06, 08, 09, 12, 14.

Tugs: Ch 08, 16, 14. Tel: +44 1642 247277.

Tees Barrage: Ch 37. Tel: +44 1642 633273.

Port: Tel: +44 1642 277201, Email: [email protected]

Customs and immigration

Port of Entry, office situated at Eustace House, Teesport, Grangetown, Middlesbrough, TS6 7SA.

Notices and regulations

Vessels over 20m in length entering River Tees channel or leaving the berth must confirm to the Harbour Master that:

The vessel is seaworthy in every respect. All secondary or mechanical systems are in operation and immediately available in the event of any failure of a primary system. The steering is under direct manual control. Anchors are cleared away ready for use.

Traffic control is operated when a vessel over 200m in length is underway within the river limits in order to allow the vessel to negotiate the channel without embarrassment from other traffic. Such vessels can only enter the channel with the approval of the VTS.

Restricted transit control is operated for vessels carrying certain dangerous cargoes to ensure a clear passage or carefully controlled limited passing of other traffic, the latter being controlled by the VTS.

No vessel may navigate in the approach channel or River Tees in visibility of less than 1,000m, except with the permission of the Harbour Master.

Except with the permission of the Harbour Master all vessels over 20m in length must enter the approach channel N of a line joining Tees N Lightbuoy and Tees S Lightbuoy (54°40.3'N 001°07.0'W).

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

UK Docks Teesside:

Repair Berth 1 - Heavy Lift Quay - 159m x 8m draft

Repair Berth 2 - 90m x 4.5m draft

Both berths are fully served with shore power, fresh water, ballast water, sewage and waste oil collection.

Dry docks

Both docks are fully served with shore power, fresh water, ballast water, sewage and waste oil collection.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at most berths.

Bunkering: Diesel and fuel oil bunkers can be delivered by barge or road tanker.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Middlesbrough/North Tees, depending on berth. All medical facilities are available. Vessels requiring doctor to board are advised to give maximum notice. Emergency medical attention can be arranged through Tees Harbour Radio on VHF Ch 22, 16 or 14.

Transport

Nearest airport: Teesside International, 29km.

Airport facilities: Domestic and some European flights, crew change and air freight facilities.

Nearest railway: Middlesbrough, direct link into National Rail Network, Tees Dock only 1.25km from British Rail Freightliner Terminal.

Working hours

Tees Dock: Normal shifts Mon-Fri 0600-1400hrs, 1400-2200hrs. Overtime 2200-0600hrs. Sat-Sun: Overtime 0600-1400hrs, 1400-2200hrs. Weekend work to be ordered preceding Friday.

Where it is

Teesport is located on the S bank of the River Tees, approx 3nm from the sea, on the NE coast of England.

The port

The port has extensive cargo handling facilities and can accommodate most types of vessels. It has lock free access to 4 general cargo berths, a bulk handling terminal, 3 Ro-Ro berths and 2 container terminals. The Port Authority also operates 3 tanker terminals and a LNG regasification terminal.

Traffic

Approx 23,000,000t of cargo, 500,000TEU, and 3,000 vessels handled annually. Tonnage and Vessel traffic also includes Hartlepool, (see separate entry).

Where does the pilot board at Teesport?

The pilot boards at River Tees pilot boarding, 54°38.4′N 001°08.4′W. Teesport has 2 pilot boarding places.

What time zone is Teesport in?

Local time at Teesport 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 Teesport?

The deepest berth listed is at Redcar Bulk Terminal (RBT): 17.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Teesport?

1025. Lower reaches, salt water, but can vary with fresh water down flow following heavy rain/snow.

Which load line zone is Teesport 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 Teesport?

Port State Control at Teesport: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Teesport?

The UN/LOCODE of Teesport is GBTEE.

What crews who called at Teesport 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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