Port health

Inverclyde Council has responsibility for various aspects of port health control at the Greenock Ocean Terminal and other harbours.

Greenock Ocean Terminal
Greenock Ocean Terminal
Image Attribution: Thomas Nugent [CC BY-SA 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

These duties include the inspection of vessels for food safety, the inspection of imported food, and the control of infectious diseases on incoming vessels. The rise in the number of cruise ship calls to the Ocean Terminal in recent years has meant that this is an increasing area of work.

Amongst our port health duties are:

  • Inspecting cruise ships for food hygiene and safety
  • Investigating cases of infectious disease and outbreaks of food poisoning on vessels
  • Inspecting imported food
  • Investigating nuisances arising from the operation of the port
  • Controlling animal import and welfare
  • Issuing Ship's Sanitation Certificates in accordance with the International Health Regulations

International Health Regulations Ship Inspection Charges (as of 1st April 2024):

Gross Tonnage Charge (£)
Up to 1,000 135
1,001 to 3,000 185
3,001 - 10,000 270
10,001 - 20,000 355
20,001 - 30,000 450
Over 30,000 520
With the exception of:

• Vessels with the capacity to carry between 50 and 1000 persons- £520
• Vessels with the capacity to carry more than 1000 persons- £890
Extra charges may be added for exceptional costs such as launch hire. 

If you would like any information on Port Health please contact the Customer Service Centre to speak to Environmental Health or click on one of the links on this page.