Weight declarations - what do I need to be aware of before I travel?

Vehicle weight limits are in operation on our vessels. The management of weight limits includes vehicle length, ramp length, total weight, weight per axle, number of wheels per axle and load distribution. If you have any questions about the suitability of your vehicle's weight, please speak with our port team at the time of your booking.   

Specifically, please be aware of the arrangements for the following routes:  

• Largs - Cumbrae  
• Wemyss Bay - Rothesay   
• Oban - Craignure   

If you are travelling with an abnormal load or mobile crane, please check the information under the headings: 

• Abnormal loads  
• Mobile cranes   

Largs - Cumbrae   

Please review the weight guidance and criteria for this route outlined below. 

Once you have reviewed the weight guidance below, please call the port of departure if you think:   

• the vehicle's weight exceeds the maximum allowable ramp limit, or   
• does not comply with the criteria listed below, or if you are in any way uncertain about the suitability of your vehicle's weight.   

Our team will discuss details and ask you to complete the necessary documentation.

On arrival at our port, please inform the port staff who will then assess the vehicle and / or load separately for suitability.  

Weight guidance and criteria:   

The management of weight limits includes vehicle length, ramp length, total weight, weight per axle, number of wheels per axle and load distribution.   

• Any vehicle under 12 metres in length with a weight more than the weights listed below would exceed the ramp's safe working load (SWL) and therefore cannot be carried.   
• Any other vehicle which complies with the following axle weights can be considered on an individual basis.   
  • Single axle road vehicle axle load 8 tonnes on two wheels. Road Vehicle, bogie load 28 tonnes, 2 axles, 1.3 metres apart - Axle load max 14 tonnes on four wheels.   
  • Road vehicle, bogie load 24 tonnes, 3 axles, 1.3 metres apart - Axle load max 8 tonnes on 2 wheels.  

Vessel	Max ramp weight	Safe Working Load (SWL)		Safe Working Load - vehicles complying with axle weights
		Vehicle length (min)	Vehicle Weight (max)	Single Axle (2 wheels) (max)		Double Axle (4 wheels) - 1.3m apart (max)		Triple Axle (6 wheels) - 1.3m apart
				Road vehicle axle	Road vehicle bogie load	Road vehicle axle	Road vehicle bogie load	Road vehicle axle	Road vehicle bogie load
MV Loch Shira	28t	12m	28t	8t	28t	14t	24t	8t	24t
MV Loch Riddon			22t			11t
MV Loch Bhrusda			36t	8t		14t
MV Isle of Cumbrae			36t			11t

Wemyss Bay - Rothesay  

MV Argyle and MV Bute which operate on the Wemyss Bay to Rothesay route have a restriction in place of 2-wheel axle - 8 tonnes and 4-wheel axle - 14 tonnes. Please check with the port of departure before travel.
 
Oban-Craignure 
 
Craignure linkspan has weight restrictions. Please check with the port when booking your space. Vehicles exceeding 44 tonnes must have prior written permission from Argyll and Bute Council. This can be obtained from: abnormalloads@argyll-bute.gov.uk 

Abnormal loads  

If you are intending to ship an abnormal load i.e. over 44 tonnes, over 18 metres in length, 2.58 metres in width, 4.57 metres in height and/or having an axle weight over 10.5 tonnes, please contact the port of departure to discuss your travel arrangements and any documentation you may require to present before you travel.   

If required, commercial vehicle drivers must produce a written declaration at the time of shipment that includes: 

• A general description of the cargo 
• The Gross Vehicle Mass 
• Details of any relevant special properties of the cargo 

Vehicles travelling on services from Oban, Stornoway, Ullapool and Kennacraig don't need this declaration as they will be weighed at the port. However, a description of cargo and relevant special properties must be given at time of weighing. We reserve the right to weigh vehicles and trailers at any port.   

Area	Island	Route	Port	Linkspan Owner/ Operator	Linkspan
					Length[m]	Width[m]	Maximum Weight [t]
Outer Hebrides	Barra	Oban - Castlebay	Castlebay	CMAL/CFL*	36	4.8	120
	Harris	Uig - Tarbert	Uig	THC**	Email: harbours@highland.gov.uk Tel: 01349781611
			Tarbert	CMAL/CFL*	36	4.8	120
	Lewis	Stornoway - Ullapool	Stornoway	SPA	Email: info@stornowayport.com Tel: 01851702688
			Ullapool	UHT	Email: info@ullapool-harbour.co.uk Tel: 01854612724
	North Uist	Uig - Lochmaddy	Lochmaddy	CnES/CFL	Email: enquiries@cne-siar.gov.uk Tel: 01851600501
	South Uist	Mallaig - Lochboisdale	Lochboisdale	CMAL/CFL*	36	3.2	120
Inner Hebrides	Mull	Oban - Craignure	Oban#2	CMAL/CFL*	26.5	4.8	120
			Craignure	A&BC/CFL***	Email: abnormalloads@argyll-bute.gov.uk Tel: 01631562125
	Coll & Tiree	Oban - Coll - Tiree	Coll (Arinagour)	CMAL/CFL*	36	4.576	90
			Tiree (Gott Bay)	CMAL/CFL*	36	4.576	90
Skye, Raasay& the Small Isles	Skye	Mallaig - Armadale	Mallaig	CMAL/CFL*	36	4.8	120
			Armadale	CMAL/CFL*	36	4.8	120
Southern Hebrides	Colonsay	Oban-Colonsay-Port Askaig	Oban#1	CMAL/CFL*	21.5	3.2 approx.	100
			Colonsay	CMAL/CFL*	36	4.8	120
			Port Askaig	A&BC***	Email: abnormalloads@argyll-bute.gov.uk Tel: 01631562125
	Islay	Kennacraig - Port Ellen/Port Askaig	Kennacraig	CMAL/CFL*	7	7.6 approx.	100
			Port Ellen	CMAL/CFL*	7	5 approx.	90
Firth of Clyde	Arran	Ardrossan - Brodick	Ardrossan	PPG/ Lochshore	Email: clydemarinemanagers@peelports.com
			Brodick	CMAL/CFL*	32.847	8	120
	Bute	Wemyss Bay - Rothesay	Rothesay	A&BC/CFL***	Email: abnormalloads@argyll-bute.gov.uk Tel: 01631562125
			Wemyss Bay	CMAL/CFL*	36	3.18	120
	Dunoon	Gourock - Dunoon	Dunoon	A&BC***	Email: abnormalloads@argyll-bute.gov.uk Tel: 01631562125
			Gourock	CMAL/CFL*	26	4.072	120
	Arran	Troon- Brodick	Troon	ABP/CFL	Tel: 01292313412

*CMAL linkspan check- any vehicle whose axle weight is beyond 11.5T or is more than 44t gross weight or  requires a police escort or  requires a vehicle special order must refer to the appropriate port for guidance/advice eg cranes; wind farm equipment; civil engineering (road works/ infrastructure projects), static caravan.

** THC would expect any abnormal load to have a weighbridge load certificate before they would permit the loading/discharging. 24 hours’ notice weekdays,  48 hours weekends and public holidays.

*** Argyll & Bute Council- Please note any loadings above 44T at Port Askaig and Craignure requires an individual check.

Acronyms

CMAL	Caledonian Maritime Assets
THC	The Highland Council
SPA	Stornoway Port Authority
UHT	Ullapool Harbour Trust
CnES	Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar
A&BC	Argyll and Bute Council
PPG	Peel Ports Group
ABP	Associated British Ports

 

Mobile cranes  

If you are transporting a mobile crane, please provide prior notification to the port of departure before travel.    

Commercial vehicle and light goods vehicle operators are reminded that it is the responsibility of the operator and the driver to ensure that the vehicle is not loaded over and above the plated weight. Vehicles more than their plated weight will be refused shipment. Any vehicle weighing over 3.5 tonnes will be charged as a commercial vehicle for the purpose of shipment.  

Before you travel

We recommend checking your route to and from the port before travelling, as certain roads may have height and weight restrictions.