Medway Ports, incorporating the Port of Sheerness and Chatham Docks is part of Peel Ports, the second largest port group in the United Kingdom. The Ports authority is also responsible for the harbour, pilotage and conservancy matters for 27.3 nautical miles (50.6 km) of the River Medway, from the Medway Buoy to Allington Lock at Maidstone, and the Swale.