Marine Forwarding

Port guide · UN/LOCODE GB BEL

Belfast, United Kingdom

United Kingdom · 54.62° N, 5.90° W

The World Port Index classes Belfast as a river port with enclosed basins reached from the North Atlantic Ocean. It records a channel depth of 9.3 m and a cargo pier depth of 11.2 m. Norfolk is 5,550 km away in a straight line.

5,550 km from Norfolk, Virginia, in a straight line.
Channel depth
9.3 m
Cargo pier depth
11.2 m
Max vessel length
305 m
From Norfolk
5,550 kmGreat-circle distance
Nearest port guide
Kilroot20 km away

Depths and vessel limits

The index sets a maximum vessel length of 305 m and a maximum draft of 11.3 m.

Channel depth
9.3 m
Anchorage depth
9.4 m
Cargo pier depth
11.2 m
Oil terminal depth
11.3 m
Tidal range
2 m
Maximum vessel length
305 m
Maximum vessel beam
52 m
Maximum vessel draft
11.3 m

As recorded in the World Port Index. Gauges run from 0 to 25 m. Confirm current depths and limits with the port before you fix a vessel.

Facilities on record

Arrival and entry

Belfast is listed as a first port of entry. Pilotage is compulsory.

First port of entry
Yes
Pilotage compulsory
Yes
Pilotage available
Yes
Pilotage advisable
Yes
Tug assistance
Yes
Tug salvage
Yes
Arrival notice (ETA message) required
Yes
Port security
Yes
Vessel traffic service
Yes
Shelter afforded
Excellent
Entrance restricted by tide
No
Entrance restricted by swell
No
Entrance restricted by ice
No

Cargo handling

Cargo facilities on record: container, ro-ro, breakbulk, solid bulk and liquid bulk. The heaviest lift class recorded is 25 to 49 tons.

Container
Yes
Ro-ro
Yes
Breakbulk
Yes
Solid bulk
Yes
Liquid bulk
Yes
Oil terminal
Yes
LNG terminal
No
Wharves
Yes
Anchorage
No
Fixed cranes
Yes
Mobile cranes
Yes
Floating cranes
Yes
Lifts of 25 to 49 tons
Yes
Lifts up to 24 tons
Yes
Longshore labor
Yes
Railway
Small

Services and supplies

Repair capability is rated major.

Repairs
Major
Dry dock
Large
Electrical repair
Yes
Fuel oil
Yes
Diesel oil
Yes
Potable water
Yes
Provisions
Yes
Deck supplies
Yes
Engine supplies
Yes
Shore electricity
Yes
Medical facilities
Yes
Garbage disposal
Yes
Dirty ballast disposal
Yes
Airport
Yes

US trade with the United Kingdom

US exports, 2025
$97.4BLed by precious stones, metals and jewelry
US imports, 2025
$64.8BLed by machinery and mechanical appliances

Top goods, trade terms and port guides for the United Kingdom

Other ports in the United Kingdom

The nearest is Kilroot, 20 km away in a straight line.

Sources

  • US trade figures: US Census Bureau, International Trade API, HS2 total exports and general imports for calendar 2024 and 2025, retrieved November 4, 2026.
  • Port data: National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, World Port Index (Pub 150), from NGA's UpdatedPub150.csv as captured by the Internet Archive on September 29, 2026.
  • Distances are great-circle distances computed from World Port Index coordinates, not sailing distances.
  • Map: Natural Earth 1:110m land, public domain.