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Port of Barry Dock

GBBAD🇬🇧United Kingdom

Port Location

About Port of Barry Dock

Barry Dock is a historic dock established in 1889 on the north shore of the Bristol Channel in Wales. It was developed to export coal from the South Wales Coalfield. The port requires compulsory pilotage and tug assistance.

Background
Barry Docks is a port facility in the town of Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, Wales, a few miles southwest of Cardiff on the north shore of the Bristol Channel. The docks were opened in 1889 by David Davies and John Cory as an alternative to the congested and expensive Cardiff Docks to ship coal carried by rail from the South Wales Coalfield. The principal engineer was John Wolfe Barry, assisted by Thomas Forster Brown and Henry Marc Brunel, son of the famous engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

Current Conditions

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Vessel Limits

Channel Depth
2ft
Tidal Range
10ft
Elevation
4m

Operations & Services

Port of Entry
No
Pilotage Compulsory
Yes
Tug Assistance
Yes
Cranes
Fixed, Mobile, Floating
Drydock
U
Repair Code
A

History

Established
1889

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Identification

UN/LOCODE
GBBAD
Country
🇬🇧United Kingdom
Time Zone
UTC+0
Feature Type
DCK (Dock)

Classification

Type
Port
Harbor Type
Coastal tide gate
Shelter
Excellent

Region

Subdivision
GB-VGL
Latitude
51.3833°
Longitude
-3.2500°

References & Identifiers

WPI No.
34990 →
GeoNames ID
2656233 →
Wikidata
Q17985748 →
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I navigate the approach to the Port of Barry Dock?+
The approach to Barry Dock is supported by 5 navigation aids within 50 nautical miles. The nearest is Hinkley Point Lighthouse at 11 NM to the SSE. Other aids include Western Somerset Lighthouses (12.3 NM SSW), Burnham-on-Sea Seafront Range Rear (12.8 NM SE), Britische Leuchttürme auf historischen Postkarten (24.8 NM ENE), Slime Road Range Rear (26.5 NM ENE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart and List of Lights for full approach details.
What major shipping routes pass near the Port of Barry Dock?+
The Port of Barry Dock 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.
How do I track vessels arriving at or departing from the Port of Barry Dock?+
You can track vessels near Barry Dock (GBBAD) 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 GBBAD on the live map.
What are the operating hours and time zone for the Port of Barry Dock?+
The Port of Barry Dock operates in the UTC+0 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.