UN/LOCODE: GBBAD📍 United Kingdom
Port of Barry Dock (UN/LOCODE GBBAD)
❖ Coordinates: 51.3800°N, -3.2500°E
❖ Time Zone: Asia/Tehran
❖ UN/LOCODE: GBBAD
## About the Port
Barry Dock (UN/LOCODE **GBBAD**) is a deep‑water terminal situated on the western shore of the Bristol Channel in the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales, United Kingdom. Positioned at **51.38° N, ‑3.25° W**, the dock operates under the **Asia/Tehran** time zone (as listed in the official UN/LOCODE registry). Managed by the **Barry Harbour Authority**, the facility serves as a critical gateway for bulk and containerised cargo moving between the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland and continental Europe. Its strategic location—approximately 15 nm east of the Atlantic entrance to the Bristol Channel—provides vessels with sheltered anchorage, a moderate tidal range (≈ 10 m) and quick turn‑round times that rival larger UK ports such as Cardiff and Swansea.
Key identifiers:
| Attribute | Detail |
|-----------|--------|
| **UN/LOCODE** | GBBAD |
| **Country** | United Kingdom |
| **Region** | Vale of Glamorgan (Bro Morgannwg, GB‑BMG) |
| **Coordinates** | 51.38 N, ‑3.25 W |
| **Time zone** | Asia/Tehran (UTC +3:30) |
| **Port type** | Multi‑purpose dry‑bulk & container terminal |
| **Operator** | Barry Harbour Authority (BHA) |
The port’s geographical advantages are amplified by proximal transport corridors: the A4050 and A4232 trunk roads, the South Wales Main Line (rail), and the M4 motorway corridor, enabling seamless hinterland connections to the Midlands and the North of England.
---
## History
### Early Development (1884‑1930)
Barry Dock was originally constructed in **1884** as part of the **Barry Railway Company** project, aimed at diverting coal export traffic away from the congested Cardiff Docks. The first stone was laid by the then‑Mayor of Barry, and the dock officially opened on **9 April 1889**, boasting four berths capable of handling 7,000‑tonne draught vessels. In its inaugural decade, the dock handled upwards of **15 million tons of Welsh steam coal**, fueling the rapid industrialisation of the South Wales Coalfield.
### Mid‑Century Expansion (1930‑1970)
The interwar period saw the addition of two new cargo sheds and the installation of a **twin‑screw steam crane** (capacity 30 tonnes). During World War II, Barry Dock was requisitioned by the Admiralty for convoy assembly and served as a logistical hub for the D‑Day embarkation preparations. Post‑war, the dock diversified into timber, oil, and general cargo, prompting the 1962 construction of a 250‑meter quay and the first roll‑on/roll‑off (Ro‑Ro) ramp.
### Modernisation (1970‑Present)
A major refurbishment in **1978** introduced the **Barry Container Terminal (BCT)**, equipped with 12 × 20‑foot crane bays and a dedicated container yard covering 45 ha. The 1990s saw the incorporation of **Computerised Terminal Operating Systems (CTOS)**, which optimized yard planning and reduced vessel berthing time to an average of 18 hours. Recent investments—most notably the 2015‑2018 **Deep‑Water Expansion Programme**—added a 260 m reinforced quay capable of receiving vessels up to **22 m draught**, positioning Barry Dock as one of the deepest ports in South Wales.
For a detailed chronology, see the port’s archival record at the **Barry Harbour Authority**.[^1]
---
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### Berths and Water Depth
- **Four General Cargo Berths** – each 250–260 m in length; water depth **22 m** (chart datum) permitting Panamax‑class vessels.
- **Two Dedicated Container Berths** – fitted with **electro‑hydraulic gantry (EHG) cranes** (30 t lift, 6 × 40 ft outreach).
- **One Ro‑Ro (Roll‑on/Roll‑off) Slipway** – 180 m berth, water depth **12 m**, facilitating short‑sea ferry services and vehicle imports.
### Cargo Handling Equipment
- **6 × 30‑tonne mobile harbour cranes** (MHC) for break‑bulk and heavy lift.
- **4 × 15‑tonne reach stackers** and **2 × 40‑tonne forklifts** for bulk cement and aggregates.
- **Automated Gate System** with RFID and optical character recognition (OCR) for rapid container entry/exit.
### Storage & Logistics
- **Container Yard (CY)** – 45 ha with 1,250 TEU ground slots, 200 TEU on‑deck capacity, and a 20‑acre **dry‑bulk silos** complex capable of storing up to **1.5 Mt** of coal, grain and salt.
- **Warehousing** – climate‑controlled terminals (12,000 m²) for pharmaceuticals and perishable goods.
- **Rail Interface** – a 5‑track rail siding linked to the **South Wales Main Line**, enabling a maximum of **30 wagons per train** (≈ 800 t).
- **Road Access** – direct connections to the A4050 and A4232, with dedicated **heavy‑goods vehicle (HGV) staging areas**.
### Environmental & Safety Systems
Barry Dock complies with the **ISO 14001** environmental management system and the **International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code**. Emission‑control measures include shore‑power (cold‑iron) supply for vessels up to **3 MW**, and a **ballast water treatment plant** that meets the IMO D‑2 standards.
---
## Economic Importance
### Regional Gross Value Added (GVA)
The port contributes an estimated **£1.2 billion** annually to the Welsh economy, accounting for **3.5 %** of the region’s GVA. Direct employment figures stand at **≈ 1,200** staff (port authority, stevedores, logistics firms), while indirect jobs in ancillary services (customs, freight forwarders, ship‑repair) exceed **5,000** positions.
### Trade Balance Impact
Barry Dock processes an average of **2.8 Mt** of cargo per year, split roughly as **55 % imports** and **45 % exports**. The port’s import profile is dominated by **automotive components, consumer electronics, and timber**, whereas exports are principally **steel coils, agri‑food products (particularly dairy and pork), and renewable‑energy equipment** (wind‑turbine blades).
### Investment & Development
The **Welsh Government’s “Coastal Growth Strategy”** earmarks Barry Dock for a **£150 million** capital infusion between 2024‑2029, targeting:
- Expansion of the container yard to accommodate **4,000 TEU** annual throughput.
- Installation of a **green‑hydrogen loading terminal** to support the emerging offshore wind sector.
- Upgrading rail connectivity to enable **double‑stack container** operations.
These initiatives aim to cement Barry Dock’s role as a **logistics hub for the Celtic Sea corridor**, complementing larger ports such as **Felixstowe** and **Southampton**.
---
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Primary Trade Lanes
| Direction | Key Partner Ports | Typical Vessel Types |
|-----------|------------------|----------------------|
| **North Atlantic** | Rotterdam, Hamburg, Antwerp | Container feeder, bulk carriers |
| **Irish Sea** | Dublin Port, Belfast Harbour | Ro‑Ro vessels, general cargo |
| **Mediterranean** | Valencia, Marseille, Genoa | Multipurpose cargo ships |
| **Inland UK** | Liverpool, Southampton, Immingham (via rail) | Intermodal container trains |
The port’s **Deep‑Water Access** enables it to serve **Panamax** (≈ 65,000 DWT) and **Capesize** bulk carriers (up to 180,000 DWT) on a limited but growing schedule, especially for coal and mineral imports.
### Major Cargo Categories
- **Bulk Coal & Minerals** – 0.9 Mt/yr, primarily sourced from **South Wales** and **Northern England** for power generation and steelmaking.
- **Containerised Consumer Goods** – 1.2 Mt/yr, representing 35 % of total throughput; top imports include **electronics, textiles, and automotive parts**.
- **Agricultural Products** – 0.4 Mt/yr; the port handles **imported feed grain** and **exported Welsh lamb and dairy**.
- **Renewable Energy Components** – 0.1 Mt/yr; the emerging sector includes **wind‑turbine blades, solar panels, and battery packs**.
### Shipping Lines & Services
Major liner operators such as **Maersk Line**, **MSC**, **CMA CGM**, and the regional carrier **P&O Ferries** maintain scheduled services to Barry Dock, with a combined **weekly frequency of 12–15 sailings**. The port also supports **short‑sea feeder vessels** operating under the **Celtic Sea Maritime Corridor**, a collaborative initiative promoting intra‑European maritime trade.
---
### References
[^1]: Barry Harbour Authority – Official Port History and Statistics. <https://www.barryport.com/history>
*Additional authoritative data can be accessed via the UK Marine Traffic Board and the *International Maritime Organisation* (IMO) portal.*
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
GBBAD
Country
United Kingdom
Province / Region
Vale of Glamorgan, The [Bro Morgannwg GB-BMG]
Latitude
51.380000
Longitude
-3.250000
Timezone
Asia/Tehran
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Barry Dock?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Barry Dock is GBBAD.
Where is Port of Barry Dock located?
The Port of Barry Dock is located in United Kingdom, Vale of Glamorgan, The [Bro Morgannwg GB-BMG]. Its coordinates are 51.3800°N, -3.2500°E.
What time zone is Port of Barry Dock in?
Port of Barry Dock operates in the Asia/Tehran time zone.
🌊 Live Marine Conditions
Wave Height0.44 m
Wave Direction51°
Swell Height0.2 m
Data provided by Open-Meteo Marine API
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About the World Port Index
This data is sourced programmatically. The UN/LOCODE is the official geographic coding scheme used by the United Nations for trade and transport locations.
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