The income we generate from conservancy and pilotage charges are used to operate and develop the Haven Ports infrastructure.

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Schedule of Dues from 1 January 2026.

Conservancy Dues are payable on entry to the Harbour by all vessels over 50 gross tonnes (GT) according to the following scale:

	From 1 January 2026
Weight of vessel (in tonnes)	Pence per gross tonne	Pence per gross tonne Infrastructure Surcharge Revenue
Vessels not exceeding 10,000 (subject to a minimum charge of £370)*	3.75	0.00
Vessels 10,001 – 15,750	5.87	0.00
Vessels 15,751 – 25,000	22.96	8.44
Vessels 25,001 – 30,000	22.96	8.47
Vessels 30,001 – 35,000	22.96	8.51
Vessels 35,001 – 40,000	22.96	8.54
Vessels 40,001 – 45,000	22.96	8.57
Vessels 45,001 – 50,000	22.96	8.60
Vessels 50,001 – 55,000	22.96	8.63
Vessels 55,001 – 60,000	22.96	8.66
Vessels 60,001 – 65,000	22.96	8.69
Vessels 65,001 – 70,000	22.96	8.73
Vessels 70,001 – 75,000	22.96	8.76
Vessels 75,001 – 80,000	22.96	8.79
Vessels 80,001 – 85,000	22.96	8.82
Vessels 85,001 – 90,000	22.96	8.85
Vessels 90,001 – 95,000	22.96	8.88
Vessels 95,001 – 100,000	22.96	8.91
Vessels 100,001 – 105,000	23.67	8.95
Vessels 105,001 – 110,000	24.38	8.98
Vessels 110,001 – 115,000	25.09	9.01
Vessels 115,001 – 120,000	25.80	9.04
Vessels 120,001 – 125,000	26.51	9.07
Vessels 125,001 – 130,000	27.22	9.10
Vessels 130,001 – 135,000	27.93	9.13
Vessels 135,001 – 140,000	28.64	9.16
Vessels 140,001 – 145,000	29.35	9.20
Vessels 145,001 – 150,000	30.06	9.23
Vessels 150,001 – 155,000	30.78	9.26
Vessels 155,001 – 160,000	31.49	9.29
Vessels 160,001 – 165,000	32.20	9.32
Vessels 165,001 – 170,000	32.91	9.35
Vessels 170,001 – 175,000	33.62	9.38
Vessels 175,001 – 180,000	34.33	9.42
Vessels 180,001 – 185,000	35.04	9.45
Vessels 185,001 – 190,000	35.75	9.48
Vessels 190,001 – 195,000	36.46	9.51
Vessels 195,001 – 200,000	37.17	9.54
Vessels 200,001 – 205,000	37.88	9.57
Vessels 205,001 – 210,000	38.59	9.60
Vessels 210,001 – 215,000	39.30	9.63
Vessels 215,001 – 220,000	40.01	9.67
Vessels 220,001 – 225,000	40.72	9.70
Vessels 225,001 – 230,000	41.43	9.73
Vessels 230,001 – 235,000	46.78	9.76
Vessels 235,001 – 240,000	51.96	19.31
Vessels over 240,000	56.71	21.60
For any vessel under 215,000 GT and draft of 16m or above the dues will be multiplied by the factor in the table below. The draft for the purpose of the calculation will be the greater of the arrival or departure draft as detailed on the Master pilot exchange for Port Pilotage plan forms.

Draft	16.00m to 16.29m	16.30 to 16.59m	16.60 to 16.89m	Above 16.89m
Vessels under 215,000 GT	1.3	1.5	1.75	2.0

Ro-Ro Vessels	2026 Pence per GT
Not exceeding 10,000 (subject to a minimum charge of £345)	1.60
Vessels 10,001 – 18,500 (subject to a minimum charge of £345)	1.83
Vessels 18,501 – 25,000	2.58
Vessels exceeding 25,001	3.08
Passenger Vessels
All Vessels (subject to a minimum charge of £345)	3.08
NOTE: ‘Ro-Ro vessel’ includes Passenger/Ro-Ro and Ro-Ro Cargo
Crew Transfer Vessels
Subject to a minimum charge of £205

* Vessels between 50GT and 100GT to be charged at the Crew Transfer Vessel rate.

The following conditions apply:

(i) Gross Register Tonnage (GRT)
Any vessel not able to provide a Gross Tonnage Certificate (GT) dated on or after 1st August 1994 will be charged dues based on GRT multiplied by a factor of three.

(ii) Moorings and Anchorage
Vessels entering the Harbour and requiring harbour moorings or anchorage (not alongside berths) will be charged a minimum of £87 per day or part thereof. Actual charges are to be agreed prior to arrival and will be subject to vessel size, duration of stay and activity.

(iii) Conservancy/Dredging additional charge
On 1 July 2019 the Authority implemented an additional charge – now referred to as the Infrastructure Surcharge – to part finance the cost of deepening the approach channel and harbour. From 1st September 2021 this surcharge was amended to be calculated on a pence per gross tonnage, based on the overall GT of the vessel. This calculation method will remain during 2026.

The surcharge will be detailed as a separate item on your invoice and applies to all vessels of 15,751 Gross Tonnes and above (other than passenger and Ro-Ro vessels).

(iv) Other charges
The Authority may demand, take and recover other charges as provided in the Harwich Harbour Act 1974.

(v) Bank charges
All charges related to bank to bank payment methods including but not limited to BACS, Chaps, Swift and bank transfers are the responsibility of the “payer”. The Authority will not accept payments net of bank charges.

Ship to Ship Bunkering

Companies intending to provide ship-to-ship bunkering services within the Harwich Haven Authority’s jurisdiction will be required to pre-register the vessel with the Authority, supported by valid documentation to obtain a Bunkering Approval Certificate that, following a successful application, will remain valid for a period of two years. Issue of initial Bunkering Approval Certificates will incur a charge of £440 thereafter £260 for subsequent renewal of approval, Certificate amendment £150.

General

The Harwich Haven Authority is the pilotage authority for the Haven Ports Pilotage Area, comprising Harwich Harbour, Harwich Navyard, Harwich International, Felixstowe, Ipswich, Mistley and the seaward approaches thereto. Pilotage will be compulsory for all vessels, with the exception of:
(i) His Majesty’s vessels
(ii) Vessels of less than 50 metres in length unless:
– Carrying dangerous substances as specified in The Dangerous Goods in Harbour Area Regulations 2016 – Schedule 1 List of Specified Dangerous Substances (as amended)
– Engaged in towing when the length of the tow, measured from the bow of the towing vessel to the after end of the tow is 50 metres or more
– Engaged in pushing ahead or towing alongside when the total length is 50 metres or more
(iii) Ship assist harbour towage or assisting vessel providing towage services to another vessel that is already subject to compulsory pilotage, or has engaged the services of an authorised Pilot or PEC
(iv) Vessels warping along berths (with lines ashore) at any port within the Compulsory Area; provided that the prior permission of the relevant Harbour Master/Port Master has been obtained

Note: “Vessel” means every description of vessel, however propelled or moved, and includes hovercraft, any floating manufactured article, anything constructed or used to carry passengers or goods by water and, except for the purpose of levying rates, a seaplane on or in the water.

Charges

Pursuant to Section 10 of the Pilotage Act 1987, the Harwich Haven Authority, as Pilotage Authority for the Haven Ports Pilotage Area, hereby makes the following list of charges which are effective from 1st January 2026 and subject to periodic review. All existing scales of charges are cancelled as from that date.

Pilotage Charges between any two points within the Haven Ports Pilotage Area except as set out below.

This is a composite charge for the services of a pilot during one passage and is fully inclusive of the cost of the pilot launch service to board and land the pilot when necessary, at the normal pilot boarding station for the class of vessel concerned.

The charge is based on the Gross Tonnage and the draft of the vessel. (The figure will be the same as that used for the purpose of Harwich Haven Authority Conservancy Charges).

The charge for any given size of vessel is the same, irrespective of the location of the port being serviced within the Haven Ports Pilotage Area.

Schedule of Pilotage Charges

GT		From 1 January 2026
To	From	£/Rate
0	3,500	937
3,501	4,000	1,038
4,001	4,500	1,122
4,501	5,000	1,154
5,001	6,000	1,225
6,001	7,000	1,247
7,001	8,000	1,322
8,001	9,000	1,413
9,001	10,000	1,455
10,001	11,000	1,536
11,001	12,000	1,559
12,001	13,000	1,600
13,001	14,000	1,632
14,001	15,000	1,659
15,001	15,570	1,721
15,571	25,000	2,090
25,001	30,000	2,221
30,001	35,000	2,351
35,001	40,000	2,482
40,001	45,000	2,613
45,001	50,000	2,743
50,001	55,000	2,874
55,001	60,000	3,004
60,001	65,000	3,135
65,001	70,000	3,266
70,001	75,000	3,396
75,001	80,000	3,527
80,001	85,000	3,658
85,001	90,000	3,788
90,001	95,000	3,919
95,001	100,000	4,049
100,001	105,000	4,180
105,001	110,000	4,311
110,001	115,000	4,441
115,001	120,000	4,572
120,001	125,000	4,703
125,001	130,000	4,833
130,001	135,000	4,964
135,001	140,000	5,094
140,001	145,000	5,225
145,001	150,000	5,356
150,001	155,000	5,486
155,001	160,000	5,617
160,001	165,000	5,748
165,001	170,000	5,878
170,001	175,000	6,009
175,001	180,000	6,139
180,001	185,000	6,270
185,001	190,000	6,401
190,001	195,000	6,531
195,001	200,000	6,662
200,001	205,000	6,793
205,001	210,000	6,923
210,001	215,000	7,054
215,001	220,000	7,184
220,001	225,000	7,706
225,001	230,000	9,238
230,001	235,000	11,418
235,001	240,000	12,050
Vessels exceeding 240,000		12,832
For any vessel under 215,000 GT and draft of 16m or above the dues will be multiplied by the factor in the table below. The draft for the purpose of the calculation will be the greater of the arrival or departure draft as detailed on the Master pilot exchange for Port Pilotage plan forms.

Draft	16.00m to 16.29m	16.30 to 16.59m	16.60 to 16.89m	Above 16.89m
Vessel under 215,000 GT	1.3	1.5	1.75	2.0

Ro-Ro Vessels		£/Rate
0	10,000	1,005
10,001	18,500	1,206
18,501	25,000	1,506
Vessels exceeding 25,001		1,805
NOTE: ‘Ro-Ro vessel’ includes Passenger Ro-Ro and Ro-Ro Cargo

Other Services and Charges

Charge for Second Pilot
Following a marine risk assessment it may be determined by the Authority that a second Pilot is required to assist the primary Pilot. In this case an additional charge will be made equivalent to 75% of the full pilotage charge for the vessel.

Services of a Pilot Shifting a Vessel between berths in the Haven Ports Pilotage Area
The charge for attendance of an authorised pilot to shift a vessel along the quays or within the immediate working areas of any port in the Haven Ports Pilotage Area or within any of the defined anchorages shall be 75% of the appropriate full pilotage charge set out in the Schedule of Pilot Charges, but subject to a minimum of £937. All other piloted movements between ports within the Haven Ports Pilotage Area are subject to the full charge set out in Schedule of Pilot Charges.

Detention Charge
In the event that a pilot attends to take charge of a vessel at the request of the Owners, Agents or Master, and the pilot is detained on board awaiting the vessel’s departure, or is detained while the vessel is on inward or outward passage, shifting berth, or other operation such as adjustment of compasses, core sampling, pile driving, etc., no charge will be made for the first half hour. Thereafter a charge of £435 per additional hour or part thereof will be made.

Cancellation Charge
If the sailing of an outward bound vessel is cancelled, for whatever reason, and a pilot has been dispatched to, or has made an abortive attendance onboard in accordance with the Owner’s, Master’s or Agent’s instructions, a Cancellation Charge of £937 will be levied. The Cancellation Charge will also be made if a pilot has been ordered and properly dispatched to an inward bound vessel or vessel at anchor whose movements are subsequently cancelled for any reason.

For charging purposes a baulk tide will be treated as a cancellation.

Special Services
(i) A supplementary charge may be added to the normal pilotage tariff should a vessel of unusual characteristics require additional pilotage service; for example, pre-arrival/departure risk assessment planning or an extended transit time.
(ii) Transport of crew/personnel/accompanied equipment by pilot boat: – Minimum: £1,200

Pilotage Exemption Certificates
Charges for the use of Pilotage Exemption Certificates:
(i) Applicable to all vessels which but for being navigated by the holder of an Exemption Certificate would be subject to compulsory pilotage.

Per Vessel Movement: £141 (inclusive of PNPF)

(ii) Examination and Issue of Certificate

		‘A’ Licence	‘B’ Licence
(a)	First examination and issue of Certificate:
	Single area	£1,426	£1,426
	Each additional area	£949	£949
(b)	Re-examination:	£1,426	£1,426
(c)	Renewals:	£949	£949
(d)	Certificate amendments / alterations per certificate per occasion:	£422	£422
(e)	Replacement certificate:	£665	£665

Overcarriage of an Authorised Pilot

Pilots are under instruction not to agree to be overcarried voluntarily to another port. In the event that a Haven Pilot is overcarried to another port due to stress of weather or other unavoidable circumstances, the following charges will be made:
(i) In addition to the normal outward pilotage charge, a charge will be made for the Pilot’s time from the moment the vessel leaves the Haven Ports Pilotage limit until the Pilot is able to be repatriated back to the UK and is off duty. The charge will be made according to the area in which the port is situated as specified in paragraph iii.
(ii) The vessel will also be required to reimburse all reasonable costs relating to the overcarriage; including external boarding and landing costs, and all travel and subsistence charges involved in the overcarriage and returning the pilot to Harwich. The vessel’s owner is responsible for organising the repatriation of the pilot to the UK.
(iii) Charges are as follows:

Area 1:	UK, including Dover, NE-Spit, Ramsgate, Brixham and near-Continental ports of the Netherlands, Belgium and France (Boulogne and ports to the East). Per 24 hours or part thereof:	£5,000
Area 2:	North Sea ports including Germany, West coast of Denmark and France (ports to the West of Boulogne). Per 24 hours or part thereof:	£7,250
Area 3:	Ports within the Kattegat and Baltic Sea. Per 24 hours or part thereof:	£12,250

(Masters, Agents and Owners are reminded that it is a serious offence under Section 19 of the Pilotage Act 1987, to take an authorised pilot out of the district without reasonable excuse, and without the pilot’s consent).

Boarding of an authorised Pilot out of District, subject to availability will incur the same charges as above.

“Dead Ship” Pilotage
The services of an authorised Haven Pilot to pilot a “dead ship” within the confines of the Haven Ports Pilotage limit, and as described above, will incur an additional surcharge equivalent to 50% of the standard pilotage charge as detailed in the current charges list.

“Dead ship” shift requiring the services of a pilot, and taking place within a particular port area as detailed above, will also incur an additional surcharge equivalent to 50% of the current shift ship rate, also detailed above, providing such vessel is required to move clear of the berth face and is not made fast to the quay during such a shift. “Dead ship” shifts that involve warping along the quay will not incur the additional 50% charge.

A “dead ship” is deemed to be any ship which, for whatever reason, does not have ready use of her main propulsion unit(s).

Fuel Surcharge
Due to the current high fuel prices the Authority must continue to implement a fuel surcharge on pilotage service activity in accordance with Clause 2.2.4 of our Schedule of Conservancy Dues and Pilotage Charges. With effect from 00.01 on 1 April 2022 a fuel surcharge of £25 per vessel act will be implemented and included on the standard invoice until further notice. The Authority will continue to monitor its fuel costs and will review this charge as circumstances determine.

Towage Operations (Tug ‘N’ Tow)
Any towage operation requiring the services of an authorised pilot as determined by the Authority will incur a charge no less than the minimum pilot charge. The Authority may levy an additional charge where extended activity of a pilot is incurred.

The Pilotage charge will be levied on either the towed vessel or the tug whichever is the larger.

Conservancy dues are levied on both tug and towed vessels over 50 gross tonnes subject to a minimum charge of £370.

PNPF Surcharge
The Authority is required to fund, on a ‘buy-out’ basis, a share of the deficit arising from liabilities assigned to it following a High Court Ruling in respect of the Pilots’ National Pension Fund. To contribute toward servicing the required payments a surcharge on pilotage activities to include Haven pilotage, Haven PEC and External Boarding and Landing services of 7.5% was introduced effective 1st January 2014 and will remain in place throughout 2026.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The Harwich Haven Authority will exercise reasonable diligence to ensure that a pilot attends a vessel at the time required, provided that the laid-down ordering procedures have been fully complied with. No responsibility will be accepted for the cost of any subsequent delay to a vessel through late arrival of a pilot, for whatever reason.

Owners, Agents, or Masters are reminded that all pilotage services provided to a vessel, irrespective of cause, are chargeable directly to that vessel.

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