Brussels

Size limits

LOA 135m, beam 17.5m, draught 5.8m, 8,752 DWT.

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

HW: 5.29m

LW: 0.53m

Approach

From Antwerp (51°14'N 004°25'E) the route to Brussels follows the River Schelde for 6nm above the New River Quays to the mouth of River Rupel. The Brussels Maritime Canal is entered through Wintamsluis, the lock close W of the river mouth. From Wintamsluis the canal runs for 18nm to Brussels.

Vessels can turn in the turning basin before arrival or after sailing according to circumstances and/or agents requirements. The max width of the turning basin is 140m.

Port limits

The port limits are at Vilvorde on the maritime canal, approx 7km N of Brussels.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Within the canal sea going vessels have priority over barges, and N bound seagoing traffic has priority over S bound seagoing traffic.

Traffic Signals: A red light exhibited from Wintamsluis and all bridges indicates that vessels are to wait, a red and green light is the standby signal and a green light indicates that vessels are to proceed.

At Zemst Lock the signals are exhibited in the form of a triangle at the sea going lock and a circle at the barge lock. The top light indicates the state of the lock, red closed and green open. The lower light indicates the side of the lock on which the vessel should secure, for example, lower light green, secure starboard side in lock.

Anchorages

Anchorage is located in the Antwerp Roads, on the River Scheldt. Use of anchors is strictly regulated on the canal and only permitted in certain areas in emergency.

Restrictions

There are two locks on the Brussels Maritime Canal. Wintamsluis (51°07.3'N 004°18.3'E), the entry lock is 250m long and 25m wide, and can accommodate vessels up to 10,000DWT. Zemst Lock which is 8nm above Wintamsluis, near Kapelle-op-de-Bosche, is 275m in length and has a width of 25m. Vessels up to 102m in length, beam 14.6m and draught 5.8m can use the locks and reach Avant-port.

Several lifting road bridges and swing or lifting rail bridges cross the canal between Wintamsluis and the fixed bridge between Avant-port and the inner basins at Brussels. The vertical clearance when the lifting bridges are raised is 31m. The rail bridges are only opened when rail traffic permits and waiting at these bridges must be expected.

Passage beyond Avant-port to Vergote and Beco Docks is only possible for vessels with an airdraught less than 5.5m and 4.2m respectively.

Tugs

There are tugs available.

Tugs must accompany vessels with a draught greater than 5.8m, other vessels if required. The tugs do not tow vessels but hold them in mid channel when waiting for bridges or locks to open. The tugs normally join at Wintamsluis. Vessels lines must be used.

Charts and publications

BA 139. Belgium river charts. Admiralty Pilot NP28, NP286(2).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Should be advised by agent 3 days prior to arrival. Subsequent messages should then be sent 6 hours and 2 hours prior to arrival at the pilot station. The message should include: Name, callsign, flag, port of destination, ETA at pilot station in UTC, draught in metres and centimetres, cargo (with IMO identification if applicable), agent and dimensions (GT, LOA, width).

Communications

Scheveningen and Ostend Radio stations operate throughout 24 hours.

Satellite communications are possible.

VHF: The Wintam and Zemst Locks and the Brussels Harbour Office, monitor Ch 68 and the bridges and tugs monitor Ch 20.

Standard messages

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

Notice of readiness

The NOR is tendered as per agents requirements.

Health

Free pratique is granted on arrival. Ship Sanitation Control and Exemption Certificates can be renewed via agents through Antwerp.

Customs and immigration

Brussels is not a port of entry, therefore all formalities are handled at anchor in Antwerp Roads, this is expected to change in the near future.

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)”.

The "Rules and Regulations for the Sea Canal and Port of Brussels", can be obtained at Wintam Lock and from the harbour master.

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

Repair facilities at Antwerp. Minor deck and engine repairs possible. Divers available.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available at all docks. Agent requires 24 hours notice to arrange supply.

Bunkering: Available.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Hopital St Pierre (8km).

Crew change

Possible.

Transport

Nearest airport: Brussels Airport (7km).

Nearest railway: Brussel-Centraal (5.5km).

Working hours

Normally 0800-1600hrs.

Where it is

A canal with length 31km, connects the port with the Scheldt River.

The port

The port handles construction materials, steel, cereals, petroleum products and containers.

Traffic

Approx 5,000,000t of cargo, 30,000TEU and 12,000 passengers handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Brussels?

Pilotage is compulsory, if local knowledge is not available.

What time zone is Brussels in?

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

What is the water density at Brussels?

1000.

Which load line zone is Brussels 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 Brussels?

Port State Control at Brussels: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Brussels?

The UN/LOCODE of Brussels is BEBRU.

What crews who called at Brussels 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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