Port of Shapinsay

GBSPY🇬🇧United Kingdom

Port Location

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Port of Shapinsay GBSPY

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About Port of Shapinsay

Also known as: Kirkwall Ferry Port, Kirkwall Harbour

Shapinsay is a small port located in the Orkney Islands, Scotland. It serves as a local harbor, facilitating ferry services and general cargo operations. The port is equipped with pilotage and tug assistance.

Background
Shapinsay is one of the Orkney Islands off the north coast of mainland Scotland. With an area of 29.5 square kilometres (11.4 sq mi), it is the eighth largest island in the Orkney archipelago. It is low-lying and, with a bedrock formed from Old Red Sandstone overlain by boulder clay, fertile, causing most of the area to be used for farming. Shapinsay has two nature reserves and is notable for its bird life. Balfour Castle, built in the Scottish Baronial style, is one of the island's most prominent features, a reminder of the Balfour family's domination of Shapinsay during the 18th and 19th centuries; the Balfours transformed life on the island by introducing new agricultural techniques. Other landmarks include a standing stone, an Iron Age broch, a souterrain and a salt-water shower.

Current Conditions

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Vessel Limits

Channel Depth
5ft
Tidal Range
2ft
Elevation
1m

Operations & Services

Port of Entry
Unknown
Pilotage Compulsory
Yes
Tug Assistance
Yes
Cranes
Mobile
Drydock
None
Repair Code
C

References & Identifiers

WPI No.
32440 →
GeoNames ID
9828273 →
Wikidata
Q1434255 →
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →

Identification

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

Classification

Type
Port
Harbor Type
Coastal breakwater
Shelter
Good

Region

Subdivision
GB-ORK
Area
UK Coast & Atlantic
Sub-area
North Sea
Latitude
59.0311°
Longitude
-2.9076°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

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

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The approach to Shapinsay is supported by 1 navigation aid within 50 nautical miles. The nearest is Wick North Pier Lighthouse at 35.9 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 Shapinsay on?

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The Port of Shapinsay 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 Shapinsay?

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You can track vessels near Shapinsay (GBSPY) 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 Shapinsay?

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The Port of Shapinsay is a port in GB. Its UN/LOCODE is GBSPY — 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 GBSPY 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 Shapinsay?

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The Port of Shapinsay 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.