The shipping platform

Location: Southampton is located in the Solent on the English S coast. General overview: Facilities comprise 2 dock basins and extensive river quays providing a total berthage in excess of 12km. Accommodation exists for a wide variety of vessels including dry bulk, Ro-Ro, container, passenger, reefer and general cargo ships. Tanker facilities are available at the Esso Oil Terminal Fawley and at BP Oil Hamble. Traffic figures: Approx 37,230,000t of cargo, 740,000 cars, 1,350,000TEU and 738,000 cruise passengers are handled annually. Load line zone: North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31. Max size: Max draught 15.0m. Largest vessels handled: Docks: "CMA CGM Vela" (container vessel) LOA 347m, 11,040TEU. Fawley: "Hellespont Grand" (tanker), 422,000DWT part laden. Size of vessel restricted to max draught, handles part laden VLCC's.