VTS:VHF 14 "Plymouth VTS"

Vessel’s visit marks Plymouth’s first export to North America

11 Jul 2025

Cli Pride made a historic visit to Cattewater Harbour recently marking the first ever Plymouth export to North America.

Cattewater Harbour proudly welcomed the Cli Pride into port this month for her first visit to Plymouth’s commercial port. The multi-purpose freight vessel berthed at Victoria Wharf, loaded with bulk and general cargo from the South West, before setting sail across the Atlantic for North America/Canada.

This voyage marks a major milestone: the first ever cargo export from Plymouth to North America.

Built in 2011, the Cli Pride is a modern and versatile vessel equipped with two 80-tonne cranes, giving her the flexibility to handle a wide variety of cargo. With a deadweight tonnage of 7,821 and an overall length of 130 metres, she’s well-suited to international trade routes.

Thanks to the expert coordination of Pilot Dan Stevens, the Cattewater marine team, towage providers, and Vessel Traffic Services (VTS), the Cli Pride’s inaugural call was handled safely and efficiently.

As a strategic maritime hub, Cattewater Harbour connects Plymouth, the wider South West, and the UK to over 200 ports worldwide. Supporting over 2 million tonnes of cargo annually, the port’s commercial operations – at Victoria Wharf, Corporation Wharf (owned by the Victoria Group), Cattedown Wharves (owned by James Fisher Group), and Turnchapel Wharf – are vital to the region’s economy.

Many cargoes get handled in the port, and a wide range of stakeholders are accommodated within Cattewater Harbour. The Harbour is the main gateway for sea freight in and out of the South West, and a key economic enabler for the region.