Port of Southampton

The Port of Southampton has a maximum permissible draft of 15.5 meters and can accommodate vessels up to 430m in length and 60m in beam. Before planning a call, masters and agents should verify current depths with the harbor master, as conditions may change with tidal variations and maintenance dredging. Pilotage may be compulsory for larger vessels.

The approach to Port of Southampton is supported by 5 navigation aids within 50 nautical miles. The nearest is Southampton City Lightship and Lighthouses Lighthouse at 0.5 NM to the ESE. Other aids include Calshot Castle (7.2 NM SSE), Trinity House Lightship 1 Haslar Marina (12.8 NM ESE), Chichester District Lightbeacons (26.6 NM ESE), Pagham Yacht Club (26.6 NM ESE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart and List of Lights for full approach details.

The Port of Southampton 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 Port of Southampton (GBSOU) 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 GBSOU on the live map.

The Port of Southampton operates in the Europe/London 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.