Port of Ellesmere Port

GBELL🇬🇧United Kingdom

Port Location

Port Arrivals & Departures

Vessel Traffic

Port of Ellesmere Port GBELL

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About Port of Ellesmere Port

Also known as: Ellesmere Canal, Shropshire Union Canal

Ellesmere Port is situated on the Manchester Ship Canal in Cheshire, England. This canal port serves as a hub for industrial and commercial traffic.

Background
Ellesmere Port is an industrial port town in the Cheshire West and Chester borough in Cheshire, England. Ellesmere Port is on the south-eastern edge of the Wirral Peninsula, six miles north of Chester, although not part of the Wirral administratively or Merseyside. It is on the bank of the Manchester Ship Canal. In the 2021 census, the built up area had a population of 65,430.

Current Conditions

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Vessel Limits

Channel Depth
6ft
Tidal Range
8ft
Elevation
8m

Operations & Services

Port of Entry
Unknown
Pilotage Compulsory
Yes
Tug Assistance
Yes
Cranes
Fixed, Mobile
Drydock
Unknown
Repair Code
C

References & Identifiers

WPI No.
34648 →
GeoNames ID
2637887 →
Wikidata
Q1011600 →
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →

Identification

UN/LOCODE
GBELL
Country
🇬🇧United Kingdom
Time Zone
UTC+0
Feature Type
CNL (Canal)

Classification

Type
Port
Harbor Type
River tide gate
Shelter
Fair

Region

Subdivision
GB-CHW
Area
UK Coast & Atlantic
Sub-area
Irish Sea
Latitude
53.2913°
Longitude
-2.8972°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I navigate the approach to the Port of Ellesmere Port?

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The approach to Ellesmere Port is supported by 5 navigation aids within 50 nautical miles. The nearest is Woodside Landing Stage North Lighthouse at 7.5 NM to the NNW. Other aids include Formby (16.1 NM NNW), Lytham-St.-Anne's (27 NM N), Blackpool Tower (32 NM N), Cockersands High (Plover Scar Range Rear) (41.5 NM N). Mariners should consult the relevant chart and List of Lights for full approach details.

What major shipping routes pass near the Port of Ellesmere Port?

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The Port of Ellesmere Port 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 Ellesmere Port?

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You can track vessels near Ellesmere Port (GBELL) in real time using MarineRadar. The platform displays live AIS positions of nearby ships, including vessel name, type, flag, speed, and course.

Where is the Port of Ellesmere Port?

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

What does the UN/LOCODE GBELL mean?

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The first two characters, GB, are the ISO country code for GB. 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.

What are the operating hours and time zone for the Port of Ellesmere Port?

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The Port of Ellesmere Port 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.