Antwerp

Size limits

LOA 400m, draught 15.5m, beam 61.5m, 280,000DWT

Water density

1000.

Load line zone

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

Tides

Nil within docks, within the River Scheldt: mean spring range 5.8m; mean neap range 4.8m.

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

Approach

With the deepening and widening of The Scheldt, it is now possible for vessels with a draught of up to 13.1m to sail up or down the river. Tide windows apply to vessels with deeper draughts. Container vessels longer than 360m have a max upstream draught up to 15.56 m. The max downstream draught for container vessels up to 340m is 15.2m, subject to a tide window of at least 60 minutes. For longer container vessels, the maximum draught is 15.5m.

Traffic schemes and VTS

There is a VTS, with AIS station for the Schelde and Estuaries (VTS-SM). There are a number of sectors each with an individual VHF Channel. Vessels are required to contact either Wandelaar or Steenbank 30 minutes prior to entering the VTS-SM sector, then again on entering the sector. Vessels smaller than 1,150t are not required to report.

Anchorages

Outer anchorages are available clear of entrance channels, 5 miles ENE of Steenbank Pilot Station, with depths greater than 20m, for vessels waiting to enter the Westerschelde.

Anchorage not permitted in the river except under pilotage and in an emergency.

Restrictions

Overhead Power Cables:

Crossing the river just W of the entrance to Zandvlietsluis and Berendrechtsluis (51°20'.38N 004°15'.95E) with a safe vertical clearance of 69m.

Deurganckdok: At the entrance there is an overhead cable spanning the dock, with a safe vertical clearance of 83m. Further into the dock, the central section is spanned by cables with a safe vertical clearance of 96m.

Wasslandkanaal: Three overhead power cables span the entrance, with a least vertical clearance of 64m.

Tugs

Tug services with approx 30 seagoing tugs with up to 65t bollard pull and 6,000hp. Sea tugs available off Zeebrugge and Flushing. River tugs to assist vessels for manoeuvring in/out the locks are stationed near the Antwerp Sealocks. Numerous private tugs, ranging from 130-2,200hp operate in the river.

Towage is compulsory for vessels with a length of more than 120m. Tankers with a bow thruster and a stern thruster are exempted from compulsory towing. Tankers with only a bow thruster do not need towage assistance if less than 150m in length. Tankers over 120m in length carrying liquefied gases must have tug assistance.

Mooring

Antwerp Cruise Terminal berths S20 and S21: There is no preferred side of ship to berth. Towing is not compulsory but a tug service is available. Between Bollards 226 and 258/1 mats are positioned against the deepening of the riverbed. This means that at Berths S20 and S21 passenger vessels are allowed to use their bow and/or stern thrusters while mooring.

Charts and publications

BA 139, 120, 325, 1406, 128, 114, 8011, 8012, 110, 116, 1874, 8010, 1872. Admiralty Pilot NP28, NP286(1).

Communications

VHF: Ostend Radio station: Ch 16, operates throughout 24 hours.

Flushing Radio: Ch 14.

Kruisschans and Zandvliet Radio: Ch 12.

Wandelaar and Steenbank Pilots: Ch 06. Email: [email protected].

Docks: All vessels should maintain a continuous listening watch on Ch 74 whilst in the city docks.

Berths: Information on berths should be passed on Ch 63.

Bridges: Information on bridges should be passed on Ch 62 except for Petroleum Bridge, (access to Marshall Dock), which uses Ch 26.

Information broadcasts: Ch 18 after prior notification of broadcast on Ch 74.

Information service: Covers Weste-Scheldt between the pilot stations and the mouth of River Rupel above Antwerp.

It requires reports by vessels within the area and broadcasts an information bulletin in Dutch and English every 1 hour 5 minutes by Flushing Radio (Ch 14) and Radar Terneuzen (Ch 03) and every 1 hour 35 minutes by Zandvliet Radio.

The Scheldt Radar Chain provides radar surveillance over the E and narrowest part of the river, from E of Hansweert to Doel above Antwerp. Vessels announcing their arrival in the radar controlled area will be followed from that moment on; upon request they will be assisted by the radar observers as per zone through which they pass.

Radar assistance is also available from Flushing Radio Ch 14 in the area above the Lightbuoy W6N of Kruishoofd and Kaapduinen Light (Oostgat) through Flushing Road to Flushing East Harbour.

Visibility Reports: For benefit of shipping in the lower Scheldt and approaches they are broadcast in English, every 1 hour 48 minutes, by Antwerp Radio, as soon as the visibility has fallen to less than 3,000m at one of the ten reporting stations. The transmissions are performed on 489kHz after announcing on 500kHz, and by radio on 1652.5kHz after announcing on 2182kHz.

The reporting service is suspended when all observation stations report clear, which means that the visibility exceeds 3,000m. Visibility reports are also included in the navigation bulletins.

Vessels not equipped with VHF can rent a portable VHF, 2 -way radio.

Scheldt Information Service: Gives information by VHF within an area extending from the sea to the mouth of the River Rupel, situated upstream of Antwerp. Traffic List and Navigation Reports issued by Ostend Radio on VHF Ch 27 (0233, 0633, 1033, 1433, 1833 and 2233hrs UTC) and 2761kHz.

Every 1 hour 50 minutes, Flushing Radio (Ch 14) and Zandvliet Radio every 1 hour and 35 minutes (Ch 12) transmit information regarding visibility and traffic information.

Brabo Port Pilots and Boatmen cvba: Tel: +32 3 205 94 30, Fax: +32 3 205 94 31, Email: [email protected]. Website: http//:www.brabo.com

6th Harbour Terminal (Berths 322 to 344): Nova & Hesse-Noord Natie Stevedoring NV, PSA Antwerp: Tel: +32 35 438911, Fax: +32 35 438900.

Kanaaldok B1, Coil Terminal (Berths 502 to 504): Tel: +32 35 438911, Fax: +32 35 438900.

Standard messages

None, except for vessels with draught restrictions which will be advised of river tidal levels.

Notice of readiness

Normally tendered on arrival at pilot station or on berthing.

Health

Free pratique is granted on arrival, No special requirements to obtain free pratique. Vaccination Certificates must be valid. Recent Ship Sanitation Control Certificate required. Any contagious illness onboard, advise agent.

On arrival onboard the pilot will give the master a Maritime Declaration Form to be filled in, signed and passed back to the pilot who will pass it to the health authorities.

Ship Sanitation Control and Exemption Certificates renewed.

Customs and immigration

Immigration: Check validation of all vessel's documents. Non EC citizens (passengers) should have a valid visa. There are no restrictions on crew providing they are not signing off.

Notices and regulations

Scrubbers: In Belgium, the European Commission’s 2016 note on discharge of scrubber washwater, bans the discharge in ports and inland waters. Relevant legislation is “Wet van 26 maart 1971 op de bescherming van de oppervlaktewateren tegen verontreiniging (Vlaams Gewest)”.

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

ISPS Designated Authority: Federal Port Security Committee.

Position: Chairman

Address: Federal Public Service Mobility and Transport, DG Maritime Transport, Aarlenstraat 104, B-1040, Brussels, Belgium.

Tel: +32 2 233 1279

Fax: +32 2 230 1969

Mob: +32 475 818465

Email: [email protected]

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

Information required by the ISPS Code should be sent, as follows:

1. E-mail: [email protected]

2. Facsimile: 32-579-68-83

The following information should be sent 24 hours prior to arrival at a Belgian port:

1. Ship's name.

2. IMO number.

3. Flag.

4. INMARSAT/GSM number.

5. Port facility of destination.

6. ETA.

7. Port ID number.

8. UN Locator number.

9. Assigned port facility number.

10. Availability of ISSC or Interim ISSC (state Yes or No).

11. Date of expiration of ISSC or Interim ISSC (in format of YYYY/MM/DD).

12. Issuing authority of ISSC or Interim ISSC.

13. Security level ship is currently operating at (Level 1,Level 2, or Level 3 with reason(s), if known).

14. Last ten ports of call and Security Level at which the ship operated.

15. For the last ten ports of call have any special security measures been taken during ship/port interface (state Yes or No)?

16. Within the period of the last ten calls at port facilities, has the ship conducted ship-to-ship activities and were the appropriate

ship security procedures maintained (state Yes or No)?

17. Is there any other security-related information (state Yes or No)?

If the transit time from the previous port is less than 24 hours, the required information should be sent when leaving the previous port.

Repairs

Available for equipment, hull and machinery from various repair firms.

Dry docks

Eight private drydocks for vessels up to approx 150,000DWT and 19 private repair berths.

Various smaller repair firms are available to carry out deck and engine repairs.

Multiple yards handle general repairs, conversions and shipbuilding constructions for commercial and naval fleet.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: All berths supplied by shore connections. Also supplied by barge.

Bunkering: Available ex-installation at Fina, EssoTotal, Exxon-Mobil, Nynas Universal Refining, Belgian Refining Company and South Pier River Scheldt. LNG bunkering from trucks is also available.

Stores: Available mainly by barge.

Medical

All kinds of medical services are available in Antwerp. University Hospital, 20km.

Quay 142 Medical Centre: Website: http//rodekruisantwerpenhaven.be, Tel: Nursing Reception: +32 3 543 9240, Fax: +32 3 543 9247.

Run by the Red Cross and employers of the Port of Antwerp. The Centre is open 24hrs to provide emergency medical aid to dock workers, seamen and employees of port businesses. From 0800hrs to 1900hrs every day there is a doctor available to deal with acute medical conditions. The Centre has specialist facilities for the immediate treatment of casualties and four beds where sailors can stay for a time before they are repatriated, depending on their medical condition. There is also a physiotherapy section.

Transport

Nearest airport: Antwerp-Deurne, 5km SE of the city centre, Zaventem International Airport in Brussels 50km.

Nearest railway: Antwerp.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours, including public holidays.

Office hours: 0830-1630hrs. Longshoremen or line handlers: 0800-1800hrs.

Where it is

The port of Antwerp is situated 80km from the North Sea on the River Scheldt.

The port

Antwerp and Zeebrugge is currently operating under the name 'Port of Antwerp-Bruges' since 22 April, 2022.

Antwerp is a municipal port with cargo handling by private firms. An important multi-product industrial port covering an area of over 13,000ha with over 530ha of covered storage areas.

The older part of the port has been made accessible for Panamax vessels.

Cargoes include: Petroleum products, containers, ores, coal, steel products, crude oils, cereals, fertilisers, paper and cellulose, sugar and fruit.

The port has "Allweatherterminal" facilities available.

Traffic

Approx 267,000,000t of cargo and 14,000,000TEUs merged traffic figure with Zeebrugge Port handled annually. Antwerp port also approximately handles 14,000 vessels and 3,100 passengers annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Antwerp?

Compulsory pilotage except for vessels in ballast drawing less than 2.2m, optional within the wet dock systems.

What time zone is Antwerp in?

Local time at Antwerp 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 Antwerp?

The deepest berth listed is at Seaport Terminals (Katoen Natie) Vrasendok Terminal: 18.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Antwerp?

1000.

Which load line zone is Antwerp 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 Antwerp?

Port State Control at Antwerp: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Antwerp?

The UN/LOCODE of Antwerp is BEANR.

What crews who called at Antwerp 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.

Read and add tips for Antwerp →