Deepest draught vessel ever to visit a UK port arrives under the pilotage of Harwich Haven Authority
04 November 2024
The containership Elenoire, operated by the Mediterranean Shipping Company, has become the deepest draught ship to call at a UK port with a draught of 17.1 metres. Arriving from Tanjung Pelapas, Malaysia it reached the Port of Felixstowe under the pilotage of Harwich Haven Authority (HHA) on Sunday 1 December.
HHA’s £130 million investment to deepen the approach channel from 14.5 metres to 16.0 metres in 2023, and four deep water berths at the Port of Felixstowe, provides megamax and deep draught vessels which unrivalled access.
William Barker, Marine Director and Harbour Master, Harwich Haven Authority commented: “No other port in the UK has the depth of water to accommodate vessels with a draught of 17 metres.
“We have seen an increase in megamax and deeper draught vessel arriving into the Haven . However, we are well prepared as our pilotage, pilot launch and support teams are both highly skilled and highly trained individuals who work hard to ensure these huge ships arrive safely at their destination.
“I couldn’t be more proud of what we have achieved and I very lucky to lead such a great team of people.”
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For further information contact: Fiona Brunning, Corporate Affairs Manager. Email: [email protected] or call: 07425 632090
Notes to editors
About Harwich Haven Authority
Harwich Haven Authority is one of the country’s largest trust ports, with a jurisdiction that covers 150 square miles. With five port operators, including the Port of Felixstowe, in the Haven it’s one of the Europe’s busiest trade gateways with more than 40% of containerised goods arriving in the UK via this route.
The Authority ensures safety of navigation for all users of the Haven, from the world’s largest container vessels in operation to the 10,000 small leisure craft that visit the area each year. It is responsible for maintaining the depth of the navigational approach channel, which was deepened – from -14.5 metres Chart Datum to -16 metres Chart Datum – in 2023 at a cost of £130 million to facilitate the world’s growing breed of larger and deeper draught container vessels visiting the Port of Felixstowe. They also provide Pilotage, Vessel Traffic Services and maintain the navigation buoys in the Harbour and estuaries of the Rivers Stour and Orwell.
Statistics for 2023
Harwich Pilotage Acts = 3,384
Total tonnage of vessel arrivals = 167,900,00
Harwich Pilot external pilotage acts = 3,117
As a not-for-profit organisation, with no shareholders, Harwich Haven Authority generate income through the services they provide. Surplus profits are then invested back into the Haven for the benefit of stakeholders. Through its Environment, Social and Governance Strategy the Authority measures their impact, against defined TOMs (themes of measurement), using the Social Value Portal. In 2023 they delivered more than £4.2 million of social value, which included £85.6K for creating green spaces, improving biodiversity, and helping ecosystems.