Port guide · UN/LOCODE GB IPS
Ipswich, United Kingdom
United Kingdom · 52.05° N, 1.17° E
The World Port Index classes Ipswich as a river port with tide gates reached from the North Sea. It records a channel depth of 4.9 m and a cargo pier depth of 6.4 m. Norfolk is 6,070 km away in a straight line.
- Channel depth
- 4.9 m
- Cargo pier depth
- 6.4 m
- Max vessel length
- 155 m
- From Norfolk
- 6,070 kmGreat-circle distance
- Nearest port guide
- Harwich10 km away
Depths and vessel limits
The index sets a maximum vessel length of 155 m and a maximum draft of 8.4 m.
- Channel depth
- 4.9 m
- Anchorage depth
- 11 m
- Cargo pier depth
- 6.4 m
- Oil terminal depth
- 6.4 m
- Tidal range
- 3 m
- Maximum vessel length
- 155 m
- Maximum vessel beam
- 23 m
- Maximum vessel draft
- 8.4 m
As recorded in the World Port Index. Gauges run from 0 to 25 m. Confirm current depths and limits with the port before you fix a vessel.
Facilities on record
Arrival and entry
Ipswich is listed as a first port of entry. Pilotage is compulsory.
- First port of entry
- Yes
- Pilotage compulsory
- Yes
- Pilotage available
- Yes
- Pilotage advisable
- Yes
- Tug assistance
- Yes
- Arrival notice (ETA message) required
- Yes
- Shelter afforded
- Fair
- Entrance restricted by tide
- Yes
- Entrance restricted by swell
- Yes
- Entrance restricted by ice
- No
- Overhead limits
- Yes
Cargo handling
The heaviest lift class recorded is 25 to 49 tons.
- Wharves
- Yes
- Fixed cranes
- Yes
- Mobile cranes
- Yes
- Lifts of 25 to 49 tons
- Yes
- Lifts up to 24 tons
- Yes
- Longshore labor
- Yes
- Railway
- Small
Services and supplies
Repair capability is rated limited.
- Repairs
- Limited
- Dry dock
- Medium
- Fuel oil
- Yes
- Diesel oil
- Yes
- Potable water
- Yes
- Deck supplies
- Yes
- Engine supplies
- Yes
- Medical facilities
- Yes
- Garbage disposal
- Yes
- Dirty ballast disposal
- Yes
- Airport
- Yes
US trade with the United Kingdom
- US exports, 2025
- $97.4BLed by precious stones, metals and jewelry
- US imports, 2025
- $64.8BLed by machinery and mechanical appliances
Top goods, trade terms and port guides for the United Kingdom
Other ports in the United Kingdom
The nearest is Harwich, 10 km away in a straight line.
- AberdeenCargo pier 9.4 m, channel 10.3 m, container, ro-ro, breakbulk and bulkGB ABD
- AvonmouthCargo pier 7.9 m, channel 6.4 mGB AVO
- AyrCargo pier 4.9 m, channel 3.4 mGB AYR
- Barrow In FurnessCargo pier 6.4 m, channel 9.4 mGB BIF
- BarryCargo pier 7.9 m, channel 1.8 mGB BAD
- BelfastCargo pier 11.2 m, channel 9.3 m, container, ro-ro, breakbulk and bulkGB BEL
- BristolCargo pier 14 m, channel 6.4 mGB BRS
- CardiffCargo pier 11 mGB CDF
- CromartyCargo pier 12 m, channel 14 m, ro-ro, breakbulk and bulkGB CRN
- Dover HarborCargo pier 9.4 m, channel 7.9 mGB DVR
- DundeeCargo pier 9.5 m, channel 6.4 m, container, ro-ro, breakbulk and bulkGB DUN
- Falmouth HarbourCargo pier 7.9 m, channel 14 mGB FAL
- FelixstoweCargo pier 6.4 m, channel 14 mGB FXT
- FishguardCargo pier 7.9 m, channel 12.5 mGB FIS
- FleetwoodCargo pier 4.9 m, channel 1.8 mGB FLE
- Fraserburgh HarborCargo pier 6.4 m, channel 4.9 mGB FRB
- GlasgowCargo pier 8.1 m, channel 7.4 m, breakbulk and bulkGB GLW
- GooleCargo pier 4.9 m, channel 3.4 mGB GOO
- GrangemouthCargo pier 7.9 m, channel 6.4 mGB GRG
- Great YarmouthCargo pier 3.4 m, channel 3.4 mGB GTY
- GreenockCargo pier 12.6 m, channel 6.9 m, container, ro-ro, breakbulk and bulkGB GRK
- GrimsbyCargo pier 4.9 m, channel 6.4 mGB GSY
- HarwichCargo pier 9.4 m, channel 12.5 mGB HRW
- ImminghamCargo pier 12.5 m, channel 7.9 mGB IMM
- InvergordonCargo pier 12 m, channel 15.1 m, ro-ro, breakbulk and bulkGB IVG
- KilrootCargo pier 7.1 mGB KLR
- King's LynnCargo pier 4.9 m, channel 1.8 mGB KLN
- Kingston Upon HullCargo pier 9.4 m, channel 4.9 mGB HUL
- KirkwallCargo pier 5 m, channel 4.9 m, container, ro-ro and breakbulkGB KWL
- LarneCargo pier 6.8 m, channel 7.9 m, ro-ro and breakbulkGB LAR
- LeithCargo pier 6.4 m, channel 6.4 mGB LEI
- LerwickCargo pier 12.5 m, channel 9 m, container, ro-ro, breakbulk and bulkGB LER
- LiverpoolCargo pier 12.5 m, channel 6.4 mGB LIV
- LondonCargo pier 3.4 m, channel 7.9 mGB LON
- LondonderryCargo pier 7.9 m, channel 7.9 mGB LDY
- LowestoftCargo pier 4.9 m, channel 3.4 mGB LOW
- ManchesterCargo pier 4.9 m, channel 4.9 mGB MNC
- MontroseCargo pier 6.4 m, channel 4.9 mGB MON
- NewlynCargo pier 4.9 m, channel 14 mGB NYL
- NewportCargo pier 6.4 m, channel 9.4 mGB NPT
- ObanCargo pier 5 m, channel 12.5 m, ro-ro and breakbulkGB OBA
- PeterheadCargo pier 9.4 m, channel 9.4 mGB PHD
- Port TalbotCargo pier 14 m, channel 11 mGB PTB
- Portland HarbourCargo pier 12.5 m, channel 11 mGB PRH
- Portsmouth HarbourCargo pier 11 m, channel 9.4 m
- Scrabster HarborCargo pier 9 m, channel 7.7 m, container, ro-ro and breakbulkGB SCR
- SeahamCargo pier 6.4 m, channel 1.8 mGB SEA
- Shoreham HarbourCargo pier 6.4 m, channel 1.8 mGB SHO
- SouthamptonCargo pier 14 m, channel 12.5 mGB SOU
- Stornoway HarborCargo pier 6.4 m, channel 6.4 mGB STO
- StromnessCargo pier 6.4 m, channel 4.9 m, ro-ro and breakbulkGB SNS
- SunderlandCargo pier 6.4 m, channel 6.4 mGB SUN
- SwanseaCargo pier 9.4 m, channel 3.4 mGB SWA
- TeesportCargo pier 6.4 m, channel 14 mGB TEE
- TroonCargo pier 4.9 m, channel 3.4 mGB TRN
- TynemouthCargo pier 6.4 m, channel 7.9 mGB TYM
- Warren PointCargo pier 7.5 m, channel 5.4 m, container, ro-ro, breakbulk and bulkGB WPT
- WickCargo pier 1.8 m, channel 4 m, ro-roGB WIC
- WorkingtonCargo pier 4.9 m, channel 1.8 mGB WOR
Sources
- US trade figures: US Census Bureau, International Trade API, HS2 total exports and general imports for calendar 2024 and 2025, retrieved November 4, 2026.
- Port data: National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, World Port Index (Pub 150), from NGA's UpdatedPub150.csv as captured by the Internet Archive on September 29, 2026.
- Distances are great-circle distances computed from World Port Index coordinates, not sailing distances.
- Map: Natural Earth 1:110m land, public domain.