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About Us

The Port of London Authority

We are the custodians of the tidal Thames
As a trust port, the Port of London Authority has no shareholders and operates for the benefit of customers and stakeholders now and in the future. Our operations cover 95 miles of the River Thames, from Teddington to the North Sea. We work to keep commercial and leisure users safe, protect and enhance the environment, and promote the use of the river for trade and travel.

Our People


Port of London Authority team members are a group of individuals dedicated to protecting, improving and promoting the tidal Thames.
The PLA is overseen by a board of directors who set strategy for the organisation.
Our executive committee manages the PLA's day-to-day operations.
PLA employees draw together expertise and excellence in support of the Thames.
Our harbour masters team oversee safe navigation in the Port of London and are responsible for enforcement.
Our Safety Management team facilitate safe navigation and associated marine operations on the tidal River Thames.
Our Thames pilots board and guide more than 10,000 ships through the port every year, from cargo carriers to super yachts.
Our marine services team ensures that channels are marked and obstructions are removed from the river.
We survey the bed of the river using the latest technology to ensure that navigation is unimpeded.
We manage ships in more than 400 square miles of water, the largest VTS area in the UK.

Our employees boast a wealth of experience and have a vision of a vibrant, safe and sustainable river.

Statutory Information


The Port of London Act and other key information about our legal duties and responsibilities.

An updated version of the original Port of London Act 1968 as of January 2014.

We are committed to performing in a timely, cost-effective and ethical manner.

The current published rates and charges for services provided by the PLA.

Information about the Port of London Waste Management Plan.

We periodically engage with Thames stakeholders and community members.

Doing Business With Us


Essential information on how to do business with the Port of London Authority.
Our investments will accelerate delivery of our goals and diversify income streams.
Our strategy is centred on three roles for the PLA: Protect. Improve. Promote.
All commercial filming and photography on the tidal Thames requires a licence.

All development works and dredging in the tidal River Thames require a licence.

Commercially operating vessels within the Port of London limits are required to hold a licence.

We require a wide variety of skills and experience in our supply chain.
July 2017
Standard terms and conditions for purchase of goods and/or services by the Port of London Authority.
January 2021
We are committed to sourcing goods and services in a responsible, fair and sustainable manner

More Information


From our boats to our history, here's where to get additional details about the Port of London Authority.
We have an active presence on the river 365 days a year to ensure safe navigation for freight, passengers and recreation.
The PLA was created by Parliament to bring order to the chaos and congestion that prevailed on the Thames.
The PLA's extensive archive is held and managed by the Museum of London Docklands in West India Quay near Canary Wharf.
Visit the PLA Media Centre for our films, photo galleries and news articles.

Connect With Us