Harwich Haven Authority

Harwich Haven Authority is the conservancy and pilotage authority for Harwich Harbour and the seaward approaches to the ports of Felixstowe, Ipswich, Harwich International, Harwich Navyard and Mistley.

It has responsibility for 150 square miles of river and seaward approaches. In 2009, 8800 vessels totalling 196m gross tonnes made their way to and from the five Haven ports. There are 16 yacht clubs in the area, which has about 10,000 yacht moorings and marina berths.

Formed in 1863 as the Harwich Harbour Conservancy Board, the Authority has overseen developments and changes that would have been unimaginable back in the 19th century.

Harwich Haven Authority is dedicated to the protection and enhancement of Harwich Harbour for all users - from the busy commercial traffic using our five ports to the thousands of leisure craft enjoying the beauty of the estuaries and the fishing community who have operated from and within the harbour for many generations.

The harbour is of regional, national and European importance, generating wealth and jobs through the massive network of port and port-related activities that has been built around it.

The ports of Harwich Haven play an essential role in the regional and national economy. Between them they handle some 32 million tonnes of cargo per year, approximately 40 per cent of the UK's container movements and a significant proportion of ro-ro traffic, cruise and ferry passengers and agribulk.

Harwich Haven is probably the most important deepwater harbour in the UK, and major expansions planned by the ports of Harwich, Felixstowe and Ipswich are set to underline that position.   Construction of major expansion already underway at Felixstowe and consent achieved for major expansion at Harwich International continues to reinforce Haven ports' leading role as a major trade gateway serving the UK now and for many years to come.

The Authority, a 'Trust Port',  does not operate a port in the traditional sense of the word, as it has no cargo handling operations of its own.  It is a harbour authority, responsible for the protection, regulation, maintenance and improvement of the harbour. Its priorities are the safety of all harbour users, from the largest containership to the many leisure craft that enjoy the estuaries, and protection of the environment.

Address
Harbour House
The Quay
Harwich
Essex
CO12 3HH
United Kingdom

Tel: 01255 243030
Fax: 01255 504946
Email: chief.executive@hha.co.uk
Web: www.hha.co.uk

Main Contacts
Stephen Bracewell