As one of the UK’s busiest multi-purpose ports, Harwich International offers marine services 24 hours a day, ensuring vessel arrivals and departures are carried out safely and efficiently for our customers.
We play a key role in managing the communications between all parties involved in vessel movements, including Harwich Vessel Traffic Services (VTS), the pilots, tugs, customers or their agents.
We also co-ordinate the deployment of professionally trained mooring teams, the provision of watering services and waste collection for vessels in port and provide the focal point for any marine incidents or emergencies, such as spillages.
Harwich International Port has statutory powers and duties in relation to the harbour areas and jurisdiction for which it is the Statutory and Competent Harbour Authority. The Ports and Marine Facilities Safety Code (PMSC) serves to highlight these responsibilities and establishes a requirement for all Harbour Authorities, terminals and marine facilities to formalise their procedures and confirm compliance with the Code. One of these requirements is to identify the Duty Holder responsible for marine safety. The Executive Committee serves Hutchison Ports UK (HPUK) and individual Executive members are designated as specific Duty Holders for each location. In the case of Harwich International Port Ltd, the HR Director and Director Harwich Nick Luck fulfils this function.
For information relating to Marine Enforcement, please read our enforcement statement https://www.harwich.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/HIPL-Marine-Enforcement-Statement.pdf
The Marine team can be contacted on +44 (0)1255 252125 or by email at [email protected].
Please note, this marine information is provided for guidance only. Any vessel entering Harwich Harbour should contact Harwich Haven Authority for the latest sailing directions.
