The Port of Milford Haven is responsible for the safe and efficient movement of all vessels on the Milford Haven Waterway. Known as the UK's leading energy port, it is a busy UK shipping gateway handling liquid, bulk, break bulk and heavy lift cargoes.

This busy waterway has over 17.0m depth of water available at all states of tide and has the ability to accommodate vessels with drafts of up to 22.0m.

Pilotage

All our skilled pilots are Master Mariners with significant local knowledge and ship handling expertise. They deliver this key 24/7 service ensuring safe and efficient shipping manoeuvres in the Milford Haven Waterway.

Unless exempted, pilotage is compulsory within the Port limits of the Milford Haven Waterway for all vessels and tow combinations of 50 metres or more in length overall. There are some exceptions to this:

General Lighthouse Authority tenders
Ships which are moving from one berth to another within a dock
HM ships and certain vessels owned or controlled by HM Government
Vessels that have a holder of a Pilotage Exemption Certificate (PEC) on board.

Pilotage Frequently Asked Questions

Pilotage Exemption Certificates (PECs) may be granted to the bona fide Deck Officers of vessels that regularly trade to Milford Haven and can demonstrate a competence equivalent to that of a pilot.

PEC applications need to be made via an appropriate agent.

View Pilotage Exemption Certificate Requirements

A Marine Works Licence is required if you plan to construct, alter or extend any works on, under or over tidal waters within the Haven.
For further information please email: mwl@mhpa.co.uk

Download the Marine Works Licence Application Pack

View Marine Works Licence charges

Our port charges can be found in our Resource Library here.

You can find all the information needed to safely bring in your vessel here.

Conservancy

In accordance with the Milford Haven Conservancy Act 1983, we have a specific requirement to:

Maintain, improve, protect and regulate the navigation, and in particular the deep-water facilities, in the Haven.
Prevent or reduce the discharge of oil, or the risk of discharge of oil, into the water from vessels in the Haven.
Provide, maintain, operate and improve port and harbour services and facilities in, or in the vicinity of, the Haven.

This is done by providing and maintaining navigation aids, dredging and removing wrecks and obstructions.

Harbourmaster and Marine Director, Mike Ryan

It is the duty of the Master of any vessel navigating on the Milford Haven Waterway to comply with the Port's Directions. This does not in any way diminish the Master's responsibility for the vessel of which they are Master, the persons on board that vessel, its cargo or any third parties or the property of any third parties.

Mike Ryan, Harbourmaster

Marine Simulator

Our marine navigation simulation suite delivers precision training and situation modelling for industry professionals.

The simulator is fully adjustable to show influence of all external effects like wind, waves (first-order motions, wave drift), tidal currents, shallow water, bank suction, ship to ship interaction, tug and berthing line forces, collision forces etc. The models are water depth/draft dependent.

Uses:

De-risk Civil Marine Engineering projects
Precision modelling
Legal & Insurance maritime modelling
Assessing risk
Port and shipping training

Built using MARIN’s latest software, DOLPHIN, the navigation suite is positioned to lead the market in training and exercise scenarios. MARIN, the Maritime Research Institute Netherlands, is an industry leader in hydrodynamic and nautical research and development. Their systems bridge the gap between research and commercial operations and deliver a navigation tool with incredible precision.