Amsterdam

Size limits

Harbour: LOA 325.65m, draught 15.5m, beam 50.0m, 208,445DWT.

Offshore: LOA 300m, draught 12.1m, 180,211DWT.

Water density

1000 to 1010.

Load line zone

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Tides

The mean height of the sea level off Hook of Holland is 1.2cm above datum, the mean rise of neap tides being 16cm and of spring tides 111cm above datum. The mean fall of neap tides is to 21cm and of spring tides to 63cm below datum. LLWS is 84cm below datum. A small intermediate rise not exceeding 6in (15cm) precedes low water by approximately 2 hours 22mins at practically all spring tides and one third of neap tides, being locally referred to as the "Agger".

Note: Normaal Amsterdam Peil (NAP): The Canal Datum is 0.45m above Chart Datum (MLLWS) at IJmuiden and 0.4m below NAP.

Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.

Port limits

The port area includes all dock areas and harbours on the N and S banks of the North Sea Canal from Amerikahaven (52°25.5'N 004°46.2'E) E to Oranjesluizen (52°22.9'N 004°57.7'E) except for Zaandam (2.75nm E of Amerikahaven).

Anchorages

Prohibited anchorage areas:

North and South of de IJ-Geul from the breakwater entrance to 5nm West of the breakwaters.

Anchoring in Amsterdam Harbour is prohibited without pemission of the Harbour Master.

Restrictions

Speed: Reducing speed is compulsory when passing the harbour entrance as moored craft or other objects may be damaged by backwash. The same attention must be given to vessels, craft or any other floating objects, which are marked as follows:

By day: A horizontal red and white flag.

By night: One red above one white light with a vertical distance of 0.6-0.9m.

Max speed for vessels with draught exceeding 6.5m is 6kts. Vessels with draught less than 6.5m, max speed is 8kts.

Consult the port handbook for details of all signals and for further regulations.

Tugs

Tugs of varying power range are available throughout 24 hours if required. Tugs operate on VHF Ch 06 for entering and Ch 08 for departing vessels at IJmuiden and Amsterdam. Tugs are provided both day and night; tug assistance in the canal is needed only under unfavourable weather conditions and for large vessels.

Mooring

There are more than 30 mooring buoys providing approx 20 berths either between head and stern buoys or lying to anchors and secured to a stern buoy.

Charts and publications

BA 124, 8230. Netherlands 1543N. Admiralty Pilot NP55, NP286(1).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

All vessels and dangerous cargo vessels with draught more that 13.1m and less than 13.5m should send the following details to VTS Amsterdam 48 hours prior to ETA, or as soon as possible if last port less that 48 hours distance.

ETA details should be advised by one of the following:

Tel: +31 20 523 4778.

Fax: +31 20 523 4800.

Email: [email protected]

Vessels with draught exceeding 8.0m and less than 14.1m should report the above to VTS Amsterdam and Amsterdam Pilots 12, 6 and 3 hours prior to arrival at Lightbuoy IJM C (52°28.5'N 004°23.7'E). Vessels with draught less than 8.0m should report to VTS Amsterdam and Amsterdam Pilots 6, 3 and 1 hour prior to arrival at Lightbuoy IJM C (52°28.5'N 004°23.7'E).

Vessels of more that 8.0m and less than 14.1m should send the above 8 and 4 hours prior to ETD and on departing of shifting. Vessels with a draught less that 8.0m should advise the above details 4 hours prior to ETD and on departing and shifting.

Communications

VHF: Pilot Ordering: Ijmuiden Port Control: Ch 61, Tel: +31 255 564500, Fax: +31 255 532535, Email: [email protected]

Shore Based Pilots: Ch 19. (Used in bad weather conditions).

Helicopter Pilots: Ch 07

VTS Sector Areas:

Traffic Information: Ch 68

Ijmuiden Approch: 07

Ijmuiden Port Control: Ch 61

North Sea Canal Sector: Ch 03

Amsterdam Sector - Amsterdam Port Control: Ch 04

Schellingwoude Sector - Amsterdam Port Control: Ch 60

Port Information: Ch 14

Locks: Noordzeesluizen Lock: Ch 22. Oranjesluizen Lock: Ch 18

Notice of readiness

NOR to be tendered as per Charter Party, throughout the day or night.

Documents

Required documentation to be available at all times.

Health

Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates and Disinsectisation:

According to Article 53 of the International Health Regulations and Article 199-2 sub article of the General Police Regulations Amsterdam, whilst being moored at Amsterdam, adequate rat guards have to be fitted on all mooring lines and care must be taken that these rat guards are kept in place during the vessel's stay at Amsterdam. For sanitary inspection and issue of Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificates for ships in port of Zaanstad and Amsterdam: Apply to Municipal Pest Control, 100 Nieuwe Achtergracht, Tel: +31 20 555 5600, after hours: Municipal Medic and Health Service, Tel: +31 20 555 5555.

Customs and immigration

Commissioned and licensed pilots, Harbour Master's Officers, Customs House Officers as well as agents which are in possession of special permits are exempted along with tug personnel.

A vessel is not allowed to proceed to sea without having obtained a clearance certificate at the Customs house.

Customs seals are not allowed to be broken until the vessel has passed out of territorial waters. In case of detention in territorial waters application may be made for a Customs House Officer to board the vessel and to release such goods as may be needed. Customs seals being replaced afterwards. Vessels bound for Amsterdam between 0700-1700hrs in Havens West will be handled by the Customs Office at Corsicaweg and during other hours by the Customs Office at Kabelweg. The Customs office is open throughout 24 hours, for clearance formalities. Besides the statement of the cargo there must be a Stores List available, in triplicate. This list must be an exact statement of all provisions, their quantity and packing.

In addition to the Stores List, the ship's papers and the shipping documents and the Certificate of Registry are needed for the clearance. It is recommended that these papers should be in a convenient place before arrival. The quantity of provisions allowed for use in port is based on standards set by the Customs and is arrived at by multiplying the daily allowance with the number of days the ship is expected to stay in port.

If the stay in port requires more time than expected or more than one week, a new allotment will be allowed for the remaining days on application to the Customs.

Lists in duplicate are needed for curiosities, textiles, tobacco, cigarettes and other provisions, etc, belonging to those on board. Separate lists are required for these articles to be brought ashore after taxes have been paid. The goods that are not cleared should be put into one room (to save ship's time it is recommended to be undertaken before entering the harbour) which is to be sealed by the Customs.

Masters of vessels should be particularly careful that the seals affixed by the Customs are not damaged. If renewal or removal is required apply to Customs.

The Immigration Officer normally comes onboard the ship as soon as possible after arrival. The Crew List (2 copies) and a list of all persons onboard (Dutch and foreign) who are not listed as crew members should be handed over. If the checking does not take place onboard, the above mentioned documents must be delivered within 12 hours after arrival at the local crossing point. The head of the crossing point should always be notified, without delay, of the presence of stowaways.

Notices and regulations

National Regulations: All vessels must abide by the rules stated in 'Binnenvaart Politie Reglement' (Inland Shipping Police Regulations or BPR) when in Dutch Inland waters.

Local Regulations: Besides national regulations, there are also local regulations called the 'Verordening op de Haven en het Binnenwater' (Local act on Harbour and Inland waterways). This is supplementary to National Regulations. It is possible to deviate from these regulations under certain circumstances, for which you must apply for a licence or exemption.

Regulations on dangerous goods and environmental control:

One of the tasks of the Port of Amsterdam is to ensure an environmentally friendly port. For this reason, employees of the Port of Amsterdam regularly inspect ships that may transport dangerous goods. This inspection takes place on the basis of the data that is supplied by ship reports. Exemptions also are to be applied for any activities that might risk environmental hazards, and any activities that could lead to potentially dangerous situations.

Port State Control here: Paris MOU.

Running now: the Paris and Tokyo MOU concentrated inspection campaign on cargo securing, 1 September to 30 November 2026. Its questions are published: the questionnaire.

ISPS

The Netherlands has a separate National Authority for all of the following areas:

Rotterdam, Curacao, Netherland Antilles, Amsterdam, Zeeland Seaports, Groningen Seaports, Moerdijk, Dordrecht, The Hague, Harlingen and Den Helder.

For further ISPS information see IMO website https://www.imo.org.

Repairs

Available. Also, divers are available.

Dry docks

There are 9 cranes with lifting capacities from 15t to 60t. Floating cranes available up to 300t.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at a rate of 330tph.

Bunkering: Available throughout port (including by barge) from all major oil companies and many independent suppliers. LNG bunkering is available.

Power: For smaller electric-powered vessels, a new floating battery terminal, the size of a container, has been launched, which can travel round the port to charge up electric boats.

Stores: Available.

Medical

The port medical centre is open for consultation Mon-Fri, 0830-1630hrs. The hospital nearest to the port is the Lucas Ziekenhuis,

Tel: +31 20 510 8911.

Transport

Nearest airport: Amsterdam International, Schiphol.

Airport facilities: Full international facilities.

Nearest railway: The port is served by its own extensive railway system.

Working hours

Work possible 24 hours a day, extra payment due for overtime, evening/night shifts, on Sundays and holidays.

Where it is

Amsterdam is situated at the junction of the North Sea Canal (Nooordzeekanaal) and the Amsterdam Rhine Canal (Rijnkanaal). From the North Sea access is via Nooordzeekanaal, passing the locks in Ijmuiden to the port. From inland waters access is via Oranjesluizen or through the Amstedam Rijnkanaal.

The port

The Amsterdam Port Area consist of the ports of Amsterdam, Zaanstad (see separate entry) and IJmuiden, which includes Beverwijk (see separate entry). Amsterdam harbour has been extensively enlarged and modernised with new deep and spacious harbours in the W port area. At present the total surface of the port area includes 2,873ha.

Modern storage and transhipment companies are established for general and bulk cargo such as ores, grain and mineral oils. There are ample facilities for break bulk, containerised, Ro-Ro and general cargo as well as for forest products and cars. New types of cargo are sand, gravel and broken granite. Furthermore there is a container terminal, ferry terminal and a passenger terminal.

The port has "Allweatherterminal" facilities available.

Amsterdam is the world's largest benzene import/export port.

Amsterdam is also the world's largest cocoa port, handling, storing and distributing nearly 20% of the world's annual cocoa production.

Amsterdam is linked to the Rhine and the North Sea. The port remains an important centre for inland, as well as deep sea vessels.

For smaller vessels using the port, a new Floating Battery Terminal is now available to service electric boats. The cargo-container-sized battery is powered by local renewable energy sources and placed on a barge giving easy access for electric boat owners.

Traffic

Approx 79,000,000t of cargo, 7,500 vessels, 56,000TEU and 1,000,000 passengers handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Amsterdam?

Pilotage should be requested when notifying ETA.

What time zone is Amsterdam in?

Local time at Amsterdam is UTC+1. Clocks go to UTC+2 on 28 Mar 2027. Back to UTC+1 on 31 Oct 2027.

What is the maximum draft at Amsterdam?

The deepest berth listed is at Holland Cargo Terminal: 15.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Amsterdam?

1000 to 1010.

Which load line zone is Amsterdam in?

North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.

Who carries out Port State Control at Amsterdam?

Port State Control at Amsterdam: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Amsterdam?

The UN/LOCODE of Amsterdam is NLAMS.

What crews who called at Amsterdam say: pilot boarding, the agent's papers, inspections, shore leave. Each tip is shown with the writer's rank and ship type, and an AI summary sits on top once there are three or more.

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