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UN/LOCODE GBLON · United Kingdom · IMO-designated crew-change hub
London is one of 115 ports named in IMO Circular MSC.1/Circ.1636 as a designated crew-change hub. Ports made the list on the basis of accessible international airports, established agent networks, welfare-centre infrastructure, and — during the pandemic — visa-facilitation frameworks that allowed sign-on and sign-off crew to transit without lengthy quarantine. That combination continues to make these ports the practical corridors most seafarers move through today.
Nearest major airport for crew changes is London City Airport (LCY), roughly 13 km from the port. Confirm the exact terminal handover point with the ship's agent — many hubs have multiple terminals with different immigration processes.
London Gateway (DP World) + Tilbury handle the container + general cargo for London. Standard UK crew procedure. Mission to Seafarers London Gateway operates on-site. Central London is 45-60 minutes away.