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Port of Macclesfield

GBMCL🇬🇧United Kingdom

Port Location

About Port of Macclesfield

Also known as: Macclesfield Canal

Macclesfield is a canal port located in east Cheshire, England. It is part of the national canal network, historically serving the town of Macclesfield. The canal was engineered by Thomas Telford and completed in 1824.

Background
The Macclesfield Canal is a canal in east Cheshire, England. There were various proposals for a canal to connect the town of Macclesfield to the national network from 1765 onwards, but it was not until 1824 that a scheme came to fruition. There were already suggestions by that date that a railway would be better, but the committee that had been formed elected for a canal and the engineer Thomas Telford endorsed the decision. The canal as built was a typical Telford canal, constructed using cut and fill, with numerous cuttings and embankments to enable it to follow as straight a course as possible, although Telford had little to do with its construction, which was managed by William Crosley.

Current Conditions

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Vessel Limits

Elevation
101m

Region

Subdivision
GB-CHE
Latitude
53.4833°
Longitude
-2.1000°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Identification

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

Classification

Type
Port

References & Identifiers

GeoNames ID
2643265 →
Wikidata
Q6722915 →
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I navigate the approach to the Port of Macclesfield?+
The approach to Macclesfield is supported by 5 navigation aids within 50 nautical miles. The nearest is Woodside Landing Stage North Lighthouse at 32.9 NM to the W. Other aids include Formby (34.7 NM W), Lytham-St.-Anne's (35.2 NM WNW), Blackpool Tower (39.4 NM WNW), Cockersands High (Plover Scar Range Rear) (40.6 NM NW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart and List of Lights for full approach details.
What major shipping routes pass near the Port of Macclesfield?+
The Port of Macclesfield 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 Macclesfield?+
You can track vessels near Macclesfield (GBMCL) 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 GBMCL on the live map.
What are the operating hours and time zone for the Port of Macclesfield?+
The Port of Macclesfield 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.