UN/LOCODE: GBSWA📍 United Kingdom
Port of Swansea (UN/LOCODE GBSWA)
❖ Coordinates: 51.6300°N, -3.9700°E
❖ Time Zone: Europe/London
❖ UN/LOCODE: GBSWA
## About the Port
The **Port of Swansea** (UN/LOCODE: **GBSWA**) is a deep‑water gateway on the south‑west coast of Wales, situated at **51.63° N, -3.97° W** in the city of Swansea (Abertawe). Operating under the timezone **Europe/London (UTC ± 0, +1 DST)**, it serves as a critical hub for both bulk and containerized maritime traffic within the United Kingdom and to the broader Celtic Sea trade network. The port is administered by the **Port of Swansea Authority**, a public‑private partnership that oversees cargo handling, vessel traffic services, and environmental stewardship. Its strategic position—approximately 280 nm west of the English Channel and 200 nm north of the Atlantic‑bound shipping lanes—allows for rapid turn‑around of vessels ranging from Handymax bulk carriers to post‑Panamax container ships.
Key identifiers:
| Attribute | Detail |
|-----------|--------|
| **UN/LOCODE** | GBSWA |
| **Country** | United Kingdom |
| **Region** | Swansea (Abertawe GB‑ATA) |
| **Latitude / Longitude** | 51.63 N / –3.97 W |
| **Draft** | 14.5 m at mean low water |
| **Berths** | 9 operational quay berths (incl. 2 Ro‑Ro & 1 container) |
| **Annual Throughput** | ~ 4.2 Mt (2023) |
The port’s remit includes handling of bulk commodities (coal, ores, aggregates), forest products, frozen foods, and a growing containerised flow supporting the Welsh manufacturing sector.
---
## History
Swansea’s maritime origins date to the medieval **Lordship of Glamorgan**, when the natural harbor was first used for the export of copper and tin mined from the South Wales Valleys. By the 19th century, the advent of steam navigation and the **Swansea Railway** (opened 1850) transformed the locale into a pivotal trans‑Atlantic conduit for coal and steel. The construction of the **Mumbles Pier** (1854) and subsequent dredging programmes deepened the channel, enabling the docking of larger ironclads and later, steam‑tug assisted cargo vessels.
During both World Wars the port was requisitioned for naval logistics, with extensive wartime infrastructural upgrades that laid the groundwork for post‑war commercial expansion. The 1970s saw a strategic pivot toward diversified cargo—particularly paper pulp and timber—following the decline of coal exports. In 1997 the **Port of Swansea Authority** was created under the Ports Act 1995, granting the port greater commercial autonomy and investment capacity. Recent decades have been marked by a focus on sustainability, including the adoption of the **Clean Maritime Initiative** and the integration of electric‑assisted shore power for docked vessels.
---
## Infrastructure & Facilities
### berthing and cargo handling
- **Quay Length**: 2,900 m of reinforced concrete quay, equipped with hydraulic cranes (30–45 t capacity) and gantry spreaders for project cargo.
- **Ro‑Ro Facility**: Two dedicated roll‑on/roll‑off berths (2,500 m²) supporting vehicle imports, timber pallets, and offshore wind turbine components.
- **Container Terminal**: A 12‑hectare container park with **four 20‑foot gantry cranes** and a **STN‑type container handling system**, enabling a peak throughput of 150 TEU per day.
### storage and logistics
- **Bulk Stores**: 60 ha of covered and open‑top storage for aggregates, coal, and minerals, complemented by conveyor‑belt networks linked directly to the quay.
- **Cold Chain**: Two 6,000 m³ refrigerated warehouses and ship‑to‑shore reefer units servicing the import of frozen fish and meat products (predominantly from Norway and Iceland).
- **Rail Connectivity**: Direct access to the **West Wales Line**, offering three rail sidings that facilitate intermodal transfer to the UK rail freight network, meeting the **Rail Freight Distribution** standards set by Network Rail.
### ancillary services
- **Pilotage & Towage**: The port provides 24‑hour pilotage services (qualified pilots trained under the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency) and a fleet of two tugs (150 t bollard pull each).
- **Customs & Security**: Integrated **Customs Modernisation Programme (CMP)** facilities expedite clearance, while **C‑TPAT** compliant security protocols protect high‑value cargo.
- **Sustainability**: On‑site **biogas generation** from organic waste, a 5 MW solar array, and a shore‑power installation delivering up to 10 MW to berthed ships reduce emissions in line with the **IMO 2020** sulfur cap.
For a full technical specification, see the **Port of Swansea official site**.[^1]
---
## Economic Importance
The Port of Swansea is a linchpin of the Welsh economy, directly supporting over **12,500 jobs** (including indirect and induced positions) and contributing **£1.3 bn** in annual economic output. Its diversified cargo mix insulates the region from sector‑specific downturns; for example, the **forest products segment** (≈ 1.2 Mt/yr) underpins the UK’s paper‑manufacturing supply chain, while the **container terminal** fuels growth in automotive and aerospace components destined for the Midlands and the North of England.
Export‑driven activity, notably **copper concentrate, steel billets, and renewable‑energy equipment**, supplies a growing European market for low‑carbon technologies, aligning with the UK’s Net‑Zero 2050 agenda. Imports of **agricultural feed, construction aggregates, and finished consumer goods** sustain domestic consumption and regional manufacturing.
The port’s location also makes it a prime candidate for future **offshore wind logistics**. With the **Celtic Sea Offshore Wind Farm** projects scheduled for 2028‑2032, Swansea’s Ro‑Ro and heavy‑lift capabilities are expected to handle turbine blades exceeding 100 m in length, positioning the port as a critical hub in the UK’s renewable‑energy rollout.
---
## Trade Routes & Major Cargo
### Principal trade corridors
| Origin / Destination | Main Vessel Types | Frequency (2023) |
|----------------------|-------------------|------------------|
| **Gothenburg, Sweden** | Bulk carriers (12‑15 kt) | 7 calls/mo |
| **Rotterdam, NL** | Container ships (post‑Panamax) | 10 calls/mo |
| **Antwerp, BE** | Ro‑Ro vessels (10‑12 kt) | 5 calls/mo |
| **Port of Dublin** | Feeder container vessels (12‑14 kt) | 12 calls/mo |
| **Newcastle, AU** | Bulk carriers (11 kt) | 3 calls/mo |
| **North Sea offshore platforms** | Service vessels & crew transfer | Continuous |
The port’s **Atlantic gateway** permits direct trans‑Atlantic routes to the eastern seaboard of the United States, primarily for the export of slate, timber, and steel. The proximity to the **South Wales Coalfield** historically justified a strong coal export flow, which now manifests as reclaimed **anthracite** shipments to European markets.
### Cargo breakdown (2023)
| Cargo Type | Volume (Mt) | % of Total Throughput |
|------------|-------------|-----------------------|
| **Aggregates & Minerals** | 1.9 | 45 % |
| **Containerised Goods** | 0.8 | 19 % |
| **Forest Products (Lumber, Pulp)** | 0.6 | 14 % |
| **Ro‑Ro / Project Cargo** | 0.5 | 12 % |
| **Liquid Bulk (Petroleum, Chemicals)** | 0.3 | 5 % |
| **Refrigerated Cargo** | 0.1 | 5 % |
The **container sector** is dominated by automotive parts (engine blocks, transmission units) and high‑value electronics destined for the UK’s West Midlands and Northern Ireland. **Project cargo** includes turbine assemblies for offshore wind farms, while **liquid bulk** primarily consists of diesel and lubricants imported from the Rotterdam hub and distributed via the UK road network.
### Emerging trends
- **Digitalisation**: Implementation of **Port Community System (PCS)** software accelerates data exchange between shippers, customs, and terminal operators, reducing dwell time by an estimated 12 %.
- **Cold‑Chain Expansion**: Anticipated upgrades to refrigerated storage aim to capture a larger share of the **North Atlantic seafood market**, leveraging Swansea’s proximity to high‑grade fishery zones.
- **Sustainable Shipping**: The port’s **shore‑power** and **green‑fuel bunkering** services are already attracting vessels certified under the **Eco‑Port** scheme, a trend projected to increase by 30 % over the next five years.
For further data on UK port statistics, consult the **Department for Transport’s port performance reports**.[^2]
---
[^1]: Port of Swansea – Official website, https://www.portofswansea.co.uk
[^2]: UK Department for Transport, “Ports and Maritime Statistics 2023”, https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/ports-and-maritime-statistics-2023
Port Intelligence
UN/LOCODE
GBSWA
Country
United Kingdom
Province / Region
Swansea [Abertawe GB-ATA]
Latitude
51.630000
Longitude
-3.970000
Timezone
Europe/London
Nautical Map (OpenSeaMap)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the UN/LOCODE for Port of Swansea?
The official UN/LOCODE for Port of Swansea is GBSWA.
Where is Port of Swansea located?
The Port of Swansea is located in United Kingdom, Swansea [Abertawe GB-ATA]. Its coordinates are 51.6300°N, -3.9700°E.
What time zone is Port of Swansea in?
Port of Swansea operates in the Europe/London time zone.
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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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