Port of Calais

The controlling depth at Calais is 11.05 meters. Draft restrictions should be confirmed with the port authority before arrival, as silting, dredging operations, and tidal conditions can affect available depths. Pilotage is typically required for larger vessels.

The approach to Calais is supported by 5 navigation aids within 50 nautical miles. The nearest is Calais Arrondissement Lighthouses Lighthouse at 3 NM to the WSW. Other aids include Calais Gare Maritime (10 NM ENE), Camiers (Armand, Lornel) (19.4 NM SW), Dunkerque Jetée Est (20.1 NM ENE), Deal Pier (20.8 NM WNW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart and List of Lights for full approach details.

The Port of Calais is located within the English Channel / North Sea corridor — one of the world's busiest maritime corridors connecting the Atlantic to Northern European ports. This strategic position influences vessel traffic density, anchorage availability, and port scheduling.

You can track vessels near Calais (FRCQF) in real time using MarineRadar. The platform displays live AIS positions of nearby ships, including vessel name, type, flag, speed, and course. Use the "Track Vessels Nearby" button on this page or search for FRCQF on the live map.

The Port of Calais is a port in FR. Its UN/LOCODE is FRCQF — the five-character code the UNECE assigns to trade and transport locations, and the identifier used on shipping documents and in port calls.

The first two characters, FR, are the ISO country code for FR. The remaining three identify the location within that country. The code is issued by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and is the international standard for naming ports in trade and transport systems.

The Port of Calais operates in the UTC+1 time zone. Operating hours, VTS schedules, and pilot availability vary — vessel agents should confirm with the port authority in advance, especially for night arrivals or weekend operations.

CALAIS (UN/Locode: FRCQF), France is a seaport located at approximately 50.96555° N, 1.85227° E.

Coordinates: 50.96555° N, 1.85227° E. Nearby terminals/ports:ARDRES — UN/Locode: FRARD — 50.85000° N, 1.98000° EBOULOGNE-SUR-MER — UN/Locode: FRBOL — 50.72415° N, 1.58781° EDUNKIRK EAST — UN/Locode: FRDKK — 51.04113° N, 2.31237° E

Harbor type/size: Coastal Breakwater and Small. Cranes: mobile cranes and fixed cranes. Lifting: 0–24 MT lifts and 25–49 MT lifts. Support: wharf loading/offloading and good holding ground. Depths: channel depth 7.1m - 9.1m; anchorage depth 18.6m - 19.8m; cargo pier depth 11m - 12.2m and maximum draft approx. 11.05 m.

Entrance/operational restrictions — tide: restrictions present; swell: no specific restriction; ice: none; overhead limits: apply and other: may apply.

Communication & port formalities — telephone: available; radio (VHF): available; air services: available; rail: available; ETA message: required; quarantine pratique: available; deratting certificate: available; first port of entry: available and additional quarantine services available. Pilotage & towage — pilotage: compulsory; tug assistance: available and tug salvage: not available.

Vessel types historically calling: Bulk Carrier, Bunkering, Container, Fishing, Gas Carrier, General Cargo, Offshore, Passenger, Ro Ro, Special Craft, Tanker and Tugs Harbor Craft.