Port of Scapa Flow

GBSFW🇬🇧United Kingdom

Port Location

Port Arrivals & Departures

Vessel Traffic

Port of Scapa Flow GBSFW

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About Port of Scapa Flow

Also known as: St Margarets Hope Ferry Port, St Margarets Hope Harbour

Scapa Flow is a sheltered natural harbor in the Orkney Islands, Scotland. Its deep, protected waters have historically served as a naval anchorage and continue to support maritime activities. The port requires pilotage and tug assistance for vessels.

Background
Scapa Flow is a body of water in the Orkney Islands, Scotland, sheltered by the islands of Mainland, Graemsay, Burray, South Ronaldsay and Hoy. Its sheltered waters have played an important role in travel, trade and conflict throughout the centuries. Vikings anchored their longships in Scapa Flow more than a thousand years ago. It was the United Kingdom's chief naval base during the First and Second World Wars, but the facility was closed in 1956.

Current Conditions

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Vessel Limits

Channel Depth
14ft
Tidal Range
3ft
Elevation
7m

Operations & Services

Port of Entry
Yes
Pilotage Compulsory
Yes
Tug Assistance
Yes
Drydock
Unknown
Repair Code
C

References & Identifiers

WPI No.
32500 →
GeoNames ID
9848066 →
Wikidata
Q213965 →
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →

Identification

UN/LOCODE
GBSFW
Country
🇬🇧United Kingdom
Time Zone
UTC+0
Feature Type
PRT (Port)

Classification

Type
Port
Harbor Type
Coastal natural
Shelter
Good

Region

Subdivision
GB-ORK
Area
UK Coast & Atlantic
Sub-area
North Sea
Latitude
58.9084°
Longitude
-3.0240°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I navigate the approach to the Port of Scapa Flow?

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The approach to Scapa Flow is supported by 1 navigation aid within 50 nautical miles. The nearest is Wick North Pier Lighthouse at 28.2 NM to the S. Mariners should consult the relevant chart and List of Lights for full approach details.

What sea or ocean is the Port of Scapa Flow on?

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The Port of Scapa Flow is situated on the North Sea in GB. The area falls within the subarctic climate zone with cold winters and potential ice conditions, which can influence port operations and seasonal shipping patterns.

How do I track vessels arriving at or departing from the Port of Scapa Flow?

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You can track vessels near Scapa Flow (GBSFW) 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 Scapa Flow?

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The Port of Scapa Flow is a port in GB. Its UN/LOCODE is GBSFW — 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 GBSFW 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 Scapa Flow?

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The Port of Scapa Flow 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.