Marine Services - Port of Liverpool

The largest port on the UK West Coast, the Port of Liverpool is located at Latitude 53° 28' 02" N, Longitude 03° 01' 08" W. The port is located on both banks of the River Mersey, Britain's third busiest estuary, and handles 15,000 shipping movements annually.

The Mersey Docks and Harbour Company Limited is the Statutory Harbour Authority for the Port of Liverpool and Birkenhead Docks, and is responsible for the management of navigational safety and protection of the Marine Environment on the River Mersey between Warrington Bridge and the outer port limits.

The Mersey Docks and Harbour Company Limited is also a Competent Harbour Authority for the Port of Liverpool and the docks at Garston within the provisions of the Pilotage Act 1987.

The Company provides Conservancy, Pilotage and Vessel Traffic Services for ships and craft using the port. Its responsibilities also include the maintenance of navigational channels, moorings, lights and buoys and the provision of hydrographic, tidal and other information.

Port Operations Control is situated in the Maritime Centre at Royal Seaforth Dock and provides a continuous traffic information service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Liverpool Port Radar provides coverage extending seawards over Liverpool Bay for a radius of 20 miles from the station and in the River Mersey as far south as the approaches to the Manchester Ship Canal (See separate information).

Vessels should establish contact by VHF/RT with the Port Operations Control whose call sign is "Mersey VTS".

The Mersey Docks and Harbour Company Limited owns and operates the Port of Liverpool's enclosed dock systems which are accessed by river entrances at Gladstone and Langton Locks in Liverpool and Alfred Lock in Birkenhead.

Detailed information is provided or being prepared for publication on this website.

Arrival pack

Essential notices for the Master of any vessel arriving at The Port of Liverpool:

Special Directions

All mariners should ensure they read and understand the following notices

Important notices

All mariners should ensure they read and understand the following notices:

Port Marine Safety Code

Information about The Port Marine Safety Code:

Application Forms

Application forms and documents for Marine Operations in the Port of Liverpool:

Marine Event Permit

Notices, application forms and documents for Marine Event Permit with Peel Ports - Mersey:

Consultation

Notices and documents for Consultation:

THE PORT OF LIVERPOOL means the docks and the area comprising all the sea channels leading to the River Mersey bounded by an imaginary line drawn straight from the Redstones at Hoylake 53' 23.12.17N 003'11.55.42W to a position 53' 29.00 N 003'.32.00W. Thence in a true North direction to a position 53' 33.00N 003' 32.00W and thence drawn straight in a direction of 065' True to a point of intersection with, and thence along, an imaginary line bearing 157.5' True to a position on the beach at Formby point 53' 34.00.55N 003' 05.57.75W and the River Mersey (excepting so much thereof as is situated in the Port of Manchester) up to Warrington Bridge.

Provided that the area shall not include any waters which are for the time being outside the territorial waters of Her Majesty's dominions.