Port of Tilbury is a key vehicle export location serving Tilbury, Essex. Thames Estuary RoRo port — strong for West Africa (Lagos, Tema, Abidjan) with short haul from London.
Export routes from Tilbury
Regular RoRo and container services from Tilbury connect to West Africa, Southern Africa, USA East Coast, Mediterranean, and other global destinations depending on carrier schedule.
Terminals and carriers
Terminals: Tilbury2; London Container Terminal
RoRo / shipping lines: Grimaldi, Höegh
Fuel level rules at RoRo and container terminals
US and UK export terminals enforce maritime dangerous-goods limits: RoRo carriers typically require one-quarter tank or less (often documented empty). Vehicles above the limit may be turned away at the staging gate or charged emergency siphon fees. Container shipments usually require an empty tank before sealing.
EEK performs a full tank and line drain before you deliver to the port, documents litres removed, and disposes via licensed carriers — meeting carrier, CBP/customs, and terminal requirements.
Why book pre-export drain before Tilbury
- Gate compliance — avoid turn-away, demurrage, and emergency siphon charges at the port compound.
- Documented removal — litres drained recorded for your export paperwork and carrier check-in.
- Licensed disposal — GBIFDA certified; waste tracked per UK policy.
- Tank and lines — we drain the tank and purge fuel lines, not just siphon at the kerb.
EEK pre-export fuel removal process
- Book online or call — quote your port, sailing date, and vehicle.
- Mobile or workshop drain — tank and line evacuation with litres documented.
- Licensed disposal — fuel removed via Great Britain Insoluble Fuel Disposal Agency compliant carriers.
- Deliver to Tilbury — vehicle ready for RoRo drive-on or container load.
Planning your Tilbury export delivery
Confirm your forwarder's cargo closing date, terminal gate hours, and whether RoRo or container applies. Non-runners and oversized vehicles may need separate terminal booking — notify your carrier early. For Tilbury, allow time for inland haulage across Essex and pre-export drain before port delivery.
Carrier fuel rules vary by sailing and terminal. Confirm limits with your shipping line before port delivery.