Port of Silloth
Harbour users and consultation: Silloth
Some of what a harbour authority does, it has to consult you about first. Here is what that means at Silloth. Arrangements are not yet published.
Pilotage
Pilotage is provided at Silloth. Where a pilotage direction is given, section 7 of the Pilotage Act 1987 requires the authority to consult ship owners and harbour operators, or bodies representing them, before giving it, and then to publish it in such a way as to bring it to the notice of those likely to be interested.
Whether the directions made in 1988 continue after the transfer, or have to be remade, is with a solicitor. If they have to be remade, that consultation is owed to you. See the pilotage page.
Charges
You have a statutory right of objection to ship, passenger and goods dues, to the Secretary of State, under section 31 of the Harbours Act 1964. The grounds are that a charge should not be imposed at all, that it should be lower, or that it should apply differently to a class of ship, passenger or goods.
That objection is against the charges of FJ Ports (Silloth) Ltd. The Port of Fleetwood sets its own charges separately. See the schedule of charges.
The Port Environmental Charge
One charge worth knowing about: the Port Environmental Charge of £128.39 is levied on every vessel entering New Dock whether or not it uses the garbage reception facilities, and the waste management plan it refers to is not published. See environment and waste.
Before objecting, please raise the point with the harbour office. Most charging questions are answered faster that way.
Harbour directions
Whether Silloth users have a consultation right on harbour directions depends on whether Silloth is designated for them, which is being confirmed. Fleetwood is designated; that does not carry across. See the directions page.
What will be published, and when
Within the first quarter of operation, that is by 18/12/2026, this page will set out:
- whether there is a standing harbour users' group at Silloth, and how to join it
- how proposed directions and proposed changes to charges are publicised, and where to send a response
- open consultations, with the closing date for each one