Queen Elizabeth II Dock

Construction of the dock began in 1949, adjacent to the entrance of the Manchester Ship Canal at Eastham Locks and opening directly onto the river.

The dock was built to provide berthing facilities for large tankers that could not be accommodated on the existing canal due to their size.

The dock itself was constructed with four berths, each capable of handling tankers of up to 30,000 gross tons.

[1] Subsequent increases in tanker size since the dock was built has meant that the largest tankers use the Tranmere Oil Terminal and at offshore berths at Anglesey in North Wales.

[1][2] As part of the emergency procedures for the Manchester Ship Canal, an emergency siren located at the dock is tested every morning around 0845[4] and is audible in many parts of South Liverpool and Ellesmere Port.