📋 Port Overview
✗ ISPS✗ ECA
The port is currently closed to commercial shipping. Information is retained should the port reopen.
Load line zone
Summer Zone for ships over 100m in length and Winter Seasonal Area for ships of 100m or less in length, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.
Location
Located in New Jersey on the Delaware River.
🔧 Facilities
🧭 Navigation Information
Charts
BA 2564, 2604, 2605.
Pilot
Compulsory and available 24 hours. Pilots operate on VHF Ch 14, 16 and 13. Vessels should send request for pilot, including ETA and draught, at least 8 hours in advance then confirm at least 2 hours before ETA. LNG and LPG vessels are required to give at least 96 hours notice with confirmation 12 hours in advance. Message should include: 1. ETA at Delaware Memorial Bridge 2. Intended length of stay and ETD 3. Changes to itinerary In-bound vessels should contact pilots on arrival at Delaware lightbuoy D (38° 27.30'N 074°41.80'W) or Five Fathoms lightbuoy F (38°47.20'N 074°34.60'W). ..... Pilots board within the area confined by: 1. 38°47.55'N 075°01.80'W 2. 38°46.28'N 074°58.75'W 3. 38°44.77'N 075°01.40'W 4. 38°46.60'N 075°03.55'W
Restrictions
North Atlantic right whales: From1st November to 30th April a Seasonal Management Area is established at the entrance to Delaware Bay. A maximum speed restriction of 10kts is imposed in this vicinity during this period to reduce the danger of ship strikes on North Atlantic right whales.
Traffic schemes
There is a Traffic Separation Scheme in place in the approaches to Delaware Bay. This comprises two one-way lanes: The East TSS approach and the SE TSS approach and a two-way route. There are two Marine Traffic Information Service areas covering the Delaware River and Bay: ..... (a) Delaware Pilot Traffic Tower covers: The approach sea lanes, two-way traffic zone, pilot boarding area, lower bay area to Brown Shoal light beacon (38°55.35'N 75°06.05'W) and tanker anchorage (Big Stone Beach). This area is monitored by a voluntary traffic information service (VTIS) located at Cape Henlopen and operated by the Pilots Association for the Bay and River Delaware. (b) Delaware Maritime Exchange covers: The area inside of Brown Shoal light beacon along all of the main channels up to and including the channels leading into Salem (NJ), Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, Bulkhead Shoal Channel leading into Delaware City, Christina River, Schuylkill River and all adjacent anchorages. The area is monitored Delaware River and Bay Reporting System and operated by Delaware Maritime Exchange. Both areas are monitored 24 hours. Vessel Reporting System (VRS) Participation: The following vessels are asked to participate in the Delaware River and Bay VRS: (a) All powered vessels of LOA 40m or more (b) All vessels of LOA 8m or more whilst towing (c) All vessels certified to carry 50 passengers or more for hire, whilst working, except when doing so on a published schedule (d) All dredgers or floating plant employed in the vicinity of the main channels or anchorages if likely to affect the navigation of other vessels. Unmanned or intermittently manned floating plant being under the control of a dredger Procedure: Participating vessels within the VRS area should monitor VHF Ch 14 at all times and respond promptly when hailed Vessels operating in the vicinity of the main channels or sea lanes within the VRS area, but not participating in the VRS, are asked to: (a) Monitor VHF Ch 13 and respond promptly when called (b) Contact Delaware Maritime Exchange when required, to obtain details of large vessels operating within the area (c) Not impede the navigation of large vessels using the sea lanes, channels and anchorages Reporting: VRS participants are required to report the following information to Delaware Maritime Exchange: 1. Sailing plan (check in) to be submitted before entering or getting under way within the VRS and should include: (a) Vessel's name (b) Location (c) Destination, including any intended additional callings and and/or anchorages (d) Tow configuration (number of laden/unladen barges) (e) Nature of cargo 2. Sailing Plan Deviation to be submitted in the event of any change to intended destination. 3. Position report including name of vessel and position when passing the following Reporting Points: (a) Off Harbor or Refuge Lt station (in-bound only) (b) Marcus Hook Range (c) Mifflin Range (d) Any other location which may be directed by Delaware Maritime Exchange (4) Final report (check out) Check in and check out points: Delaware Maritime Exchange area: (a) Brown Shoal Lt Bn (38°55.35'N 75°06.05'W) when passing from Pilot Traffic Tower to Delaware Maritime Exchange systems (b) Biddle Point (39°33.26'N 75°37.06'W) navigating Eastbound on the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal (c) Reedy Point (39°33.65'N 75°33.89'W) navigating Westbound at the entrance to the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal Pilot Traffic Tower area: (a) Inbound at McCrie Shoal Gong Lt Buoy 2MS (38°50.60'N 74°50.28'W) (b) Inbound on entering the Five Fathom sea lane (c) Inbound on entering the Delaware sea lane Anchorage Intentions and Reports: All vessels intending to anchor anywhere within the Delaware Bay or River are required to notify Delaware Maritime Exchange prior to arrival at the intended anchorage, including the anchorage position, ETA and reason for anchoring. Vessels are further required to notify Delaware Maritime Exchange of any changes to anchorage intentions, including changes to ETA. Vessels reporting anchorage intentions will be notified by Delaware Maritime Exchange of: (a) Any other vessels in the anchorages along with their ETD (b) Any other vessels en-route the anchorage (c) Current limitations affecting the intended anchorage (d) Any other potential conflicts with the intention to anchor All vessels anchored with in the Delaware Bay and River area are required to: (a) Continuously monitor VHF Ch 14 and 16 (b) Report to Delaware Maritime Exchange, any change to vessel's intended ETD from the anchorage (c) Ensure that the vessel's AIS transponder is switched on, fully operational and transmitting correctly while underway and at anchor. Vessels leaving an anchorage are required to submit a Sailing Plan to Delaware Maritime Exchange Final Report: Participants are required to submit a report with name of vessel and position as follows: (a) On arriving at destination within the VRS (b) On departing from the VRS area All communications must be made in English.
Weather
The Delaware River above Philadelphia is often closed by ice for long periods during the months of January and February; the problem seldom arises before January.
🛡️ Pre-Arrival Information
Health regulations
Quarantine: The federal quarantine station for Delaware River ports, is situated at Marcus Hook (39°49.0'N 075°25.0'W). Quarantine is enforced in accordance with regulations of United States Health Service. Unless otherwise directed, vessels subject to inspection by quarantine, customs, immigrations and agricultural quarantine officials, are normally boarded by the relevant officials on arrival at their berths.