Navigation & Pilotage

Navigation & Pilotage

Navigation

Belfast Harbour Port Operations is responsible for providing a safe and efficient service to all customers and stakeholders working in or visiting the Port.

All visitors to Belfast should be aware that the Port is fully operational 24 hours a day and is used for a variety of shipping requirements and crafts.

In 2017, Belfast Harbour had 5,817 ship arrivals of which a substantial proportion were daily scheduled services.

Belfast Harbour VTS operates both a traffic information and traffic organisational service; descriptions of which can be found in the Notice to Mariners No 2 of 2013 and in the VTS Manual.

Recreational users of Belfast Lough are encouraged to download the Tide Tables

The management of all arrivals is coordinated by Belfast Harbour’s Vessel Traffic Service [VTS].

Pilotage

Full details of pilot requirements for vessels are available in the Pilotage Directions. Pilot bookings are arranged via Port Control on Belfast VTS on Ch 12 VHF. Pilots are delivered to vessels entering the port by pilot launch.

Revised Pilotage Directions PECs SEPT 2019
Belfast Harbour Navigational Guidelines - March 2021

Notice to Mariners

It is important to maintain up-to-date information to aid the navigational safety of users. Belfast Harbour communicates all such information relevant to its Harbour Limits via Notice to Mariners.

Contact Us

Mariners are requested to contact Belfast Harbour on 02890 553016 or by e-mail at portops@belfast-harbour.co.uk  should they have any information relating to navigational safety. Urgent and immediate information relating to the Harbour should be passed via Belfast VTS on VHF channel 12 or via Belfast Coastguard on Ch 16.

No.6 of 2022 - Access to Russian Vessels
No.4 of 2022 - Remediation Works at VT4
No.3 of 2022 - Revised Depths in Belfast Harbour
No.1 of 2022 - Annual Summary
No.12 of 2021 - Change of VTS call sign
No.8 of 2021 - Manoeuvring Requirements for Vessels in the Harbour
Notice to Mariners No.6 of 2021 - Revised Navigational Guidelines
No.13 of 2019 - Management of Pilotage Exemption Certificates
Notice To Mariners No.11 of 2018 - 6 Knot Speed Restriction
Notice to Mariners 2014 No 4 - Vessel Speed & Under Keel Clearance
Notice to Mariners No. 2 of 2013 - VTS Traffic Organisation Service
No.10 of 2020 -Works at Belfast Dry Dock

Operational Notices

The full list of Operational Notices can be downloaded below

Operational Notice No.6 of 2022 - Resurfacing work on Sinclair Wharf
Operational Notice No.5 of 2022 - Code of Practice-Vessel Bunkering Operations by Road Tanker
Operational Notice No.4 of 2022 - Unattended Vehicles Trailers Equipment on Port Operational Quay Areas
Operational Notice No.3 of 2022 - Securing Loads carried on Vehicles within Belfast Harbour Estate
Operational Notice No.2 of 2022 - Annual Summary
Operational Notice No.1 of 2022 - Crane 93 Restriction on Sinclair Wharf
Operational Notice No.5 of 2021 - Surface Repairs at Stormont Wharf North
Operational Notice No. 4 of 2021 - Revised Inspection Regime and Notification to use Equipment
Operational Notice No.2 of 2021 - BHC Quay Areas - On-Line Induction and Belfast Harbour Access Pass
Operational Notice No 7 of 2019 - Use of Hoppers HG1 HG2 HST3 HG5 and HST4 - Stormont Gotto Wharf
Operational Notice No 5 of 2018 - Requirements for the Movement of Abnormal Loads, Plant or Heavy Machinery on Harbour Roads
Operational Notice No.11 of 2017 - Mobile Crane Operations on Gotto Sinclair Stormont and PDC Quays
Operational Notice No.10 of 2017 - Sinclair Road Closure - Stormont Road TWO Way Traffic
Operational Notice No.6 of 2017 - Accident, Incident and Damage Reporting
Operational Notice No.5 of 2017 - Security of Equipment on Operational Quays
Operational Notice No. 2 of 2017 - Policy Statement - Work vehicles plant and Equipment 3
Operational Notice No.5 of 2016 - Hotwork in Port Operational Areas
Operational Notice No.3 of 2016 - Marking of Hazard Zone on Edges of General User Quays
Operational Notice No.2 of 2016 - HGV Bulk Transport Loading Requirements in Belfast Harbour Areas
Operational Notice No.12 of 2014- HGV/ Bulk Transport Requirements in Port Operational Areas
Operational Notice No.4 of 2014- Use of Quay Lighting
Operational Notice No.2 of 2014 - Exposed High Voltage cabling
Operational Notice No.11 of 2013 – Fire Exit Doors / Escape Routes on Harbour Premises

Marine Incident Reporting

Following feedback from port users, Belfast Harbour have introduced a Marine Incident Report Form. This form is to be used to report a Marine/Navigational or Safety Incident or Near Miss to the Port Operations Department. Urgent navigational matters should be reported immediately to Belfast Harbour Radio on VHF Channel 12 or phone 02890 553014 if VHF is not available
Marine Incident Report Form