Delfzijl

Size limits

LOA 200m, draught 10.0m, beam 32.2m, 61,195DWT

Water density

1007-1020.

Load line zone

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

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

Approach

The port is approached from the maintained fairway of Die Ems by Paapsund Sud, a short channel, and entered between breakwaters at the E end of the outer harbour; then Zeehavenkanaal leads to Handelshaven at the W head of the outer harbour. The channel of Delfzijl offers vessels a mean operational draught up to 9.0m under normal HW conditions. An UKC of 10% of the draught is to be maintained.

Caution: Because of cross tidal streams in the approach to the harbour, large vessels are advised to enter at slack water.

Direction for entering harbour: From a position in the maintained fairway of Gatjebogen, approx 1nm SSW of Knock Light, the alignment (203°) of leading lights at Oterdum (53°19'N 007°00'E) at the SE end of Delfzijl harbour leads by Paapsund Sud into the harbour entrance passing:

E of a Lightbouy No PS 3-BW 26, (preferred channel to port), 1.25nm SSW of Knock Light, which marks the SE end of Bocht van Watum, then, between Westerhoofd and Oosterhoofd, the heads of the W and E breakwaters, respectively, which are each marked with a light (W breakwater, green post, white bands): E breakwater (red post, white bands). At night a white sector (023°-026.75° of Knock Light astern, also leads to the entrance but the W limit of the sector passes over shoal ground extending from the head of the W breakwater

Outer Harbour Entrance: The entrance is near the deep water of the Oostfriesche Gaatje and lies opposite radar station 'Knock' on the German mainland. There are two moles with a distance of 400m separation. The width of the channel is 208m and a depth of 10.0m. A green fixed light is positioned on the W mole and a fixed red light on the E mole.

Zeehavenkanaal: At the outer E part of the outer harbour proceeding W, the channel gradually narrows to 100m except at the Akzo Nobel Salt Terminal, where it narrows further to 80m.There are a number of private jetties serving individual industries along the S side of Zeehavenkanaal.

Handelshaven: The basin has a quay 1,220m in length. To the W is an old quay, Handelskade West, measuring 550m with no cargo handling facilities. In front of this quay is a floating jetty of 320m with berths on both side for berthing vessels up to 30,000DWT. A new quay, to the E of Handelshaven, is fully utilised to handle general and bulk cargo.

Damsterhaven: A small basin, which can be reached from the Handelshaven via a drawbridge with a horizontal clearance of 12m, allowing a vessel up to 10.5m breadth to berth at the Damsterkade.

Inner Harbour:

Farmsumerhaven: Provides a berth for waiting vessels with a draught of 4.5m. The total length of alongside jetties and dolphins is 940m.

Eemskanal: Located S of Farmsum/Delfzijl with depth of 5.0 at the entrance.

Oosterhornhaven: Entered from Eemskanaal through Oosterhornkanaal. The navigable width of the Oosterhornhaven is 60m, except to the W where the width is 90m. The remaining part of Oosterhornhaven runs S'ly for 600m and to 900m up the Heemskesbrug. The maximum permissible length of vessel in the Oosterhornhaven is 90m.

Traffic schemes and VTS

Audible signals: A vessel should indicate her intentions to enter the harbour by sounding three long blasts followed, after a short pause, by one short blast if turning to port inside the entrance. Pending development of the E end of Zeehavenkanaal the usual alteration of course will be to starboard.

A vessel leaving harbour should sound one long blast followed after a short pause, if turning to starboard towards Dollard, by one short blast.

Turning to port is prohibited unless the fairway is clear.

These sound signals are not required when the fairway can be seen to be clear of shipping.

Vessels navigating the Zeehavenkanaal have right of way over vessels coming from the access channel to the sea locks.

Vessel more than 130m long or with a draught of 7.5m or more are required to display the signals prescribed by Rule 28 of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (1972).

Overtaking is prohibited.

When sea going vessels are likely to meet on opposite courses within 100m of a berthed vessel W of Light Beacon No 5, the vessel having the berthed vessels on the starboard side should give way.

Anchorages

Vessels up to 4,000DWT, which have to anchor outside the piers, can anchor in Oterdum-Reede, 0.5nm NE of the harbour entrance. Larger vessels should anchor in the Doekegat or Oude Westereems near Eemshaven. Request for anchorage position made through Ems Traffic. There is no anchorage inside the harbour.

Restrictions

The locks may be used by vessels of less than LOA 120m, beam 16m and draught 5.2m; that is vessels of about 5,000 to 6,000 tonnes in light condition or of 2,000 to 2,200t laden; an UKC of 0.3m is required.

Both locks are spanned by two bascule bridges, one a combined road and rail bridge, the other a road bridge.

Operations of the lock are suspended if the water level outside the lock rises more than 5.5m above CD.

In addition to the bridges across Eemskanallsluizan moveable bridges at Delfzijl are situated:

The entrance to Damsterhaven in Handelshaven, navigable by vessels not exceeding 10.5m beam.

Weiwerder in Oosterhornkannaal, navigable width of lifting span 4m.

Heemskes in Oosterhornhaven.

The use of anchor within the harbour is prohibited except with the permission of the Harbour Master.

Tugs

Tugs are available.

Mooring

Boatmen are available and can be ordered through Delfzijl Port Control, Ch 66.

Charts and publications

BA 8089, NL 1460, 1555, DE 90, 91. Admiralty Pilot NP55, NP283(1).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Approaching vessels from the sea should inform Ems pilotage "RLC-N" of their ETA at Westereems Pilot Station at least 24 hours in advance (if not possible, immediately after leaving last port of departure) before arrival at harbour entrance.

If an ETA changes by more than 2 hours from the latest ETA message, a new message must be sent.

In the approach, radar assistance can be given by Ems Traffic, Delfzijl radar Ch 03.

Communications

Inmarsat communication is possible.

VHF: An integrated German/Dutch radar chain has been installed along the River Ems. The chain comprises the radar stations "Borkum" (German), "Oudeschip" (Dutch), "Knock" (German) and "Wybelsum" (German). The coordination of the stations has been centralised at the Revierzentrale Emden.

Radar assistance can be given when visibility diminishes to a distance less than 2,000m and when the pilot cutter is cruising off Borkum. The radar stations are working on a regular basis. Guidance and assistance can be given according to the table indicated below.

Additionally, a general shipping message is broadcast on VHF Ch 66 every 10 minutes past even hours. These messages report on meteorological conditions, tidal levels, the fairway, sea locks, berth occupation etc. These messages will be followed by a weather forecast.

The lockmaster to the sea locks maintains watch on VHF.

Notice of readiness

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

Documents

Copies of the above documents should be sent to the agent, Customs, Immigration and Police authorities.

Health

Application for free pratique is not necessary. Ship Sanitation Control Certificate can be renewed.

Customs and immigration

The Customs allowances are 5 litres of spirits for the total crew and 200 cigarettes for each person, Tel: +31 596 615060.

Immigration procedures are carried out by the agent, Tel: +31 596 613831.

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

Shipyards are available for effecting repairs.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: All grades of bunkers are available. For bunkering of large vessels, arrangements should be made in advance.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Delfzicht Hospital and doctors in Delfzijl, 500-1,000m from the port.

Transport

Nearest airport: Groningen, 35km.

Airport facilities: Domestic and European connections.

Nearest railway: Delfzijl, 500m.

Working hours

Mon-Fri, 0800-1700hrs offices.

Stevedores: Mon-Fri, 0800-1200hrs and 1230-1600hrs. Shifts are possible 0600-1400hrs, 1400-2200hrs and 2200-0600hrs. Work on Saturdays and/or Sundays can be arranged.

Where it is

Delfzijl is located SE of Eemshaven near the mouth of the river Ems and the main North Sea shipping routes.

The port

The port consists of a tidal outer and non tidal Inner Harbour. The Outer Harbour is divided into 3 communicating basins, Handelshaven, Damsterhaven and Zeehavenkanaal and is approached by way of a broad fairway, the Zeechavenkanaal. The Inner Harbour consists of Oosterhornhaven, Farmsumerhaven and Eemskanaal. The link between the Outer and Inner Harbour is formed by the provincial sea locks.

The port is essentially a chemical port but the following cargoes are handled: Agricultural products, food, solid fuel, petroleum, ores, metals, raw minerals, fertiliser and chemical products.

Traffic

Approx 6,000,000t of cargo handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Delfzijl?

Pilotage is compulsory for vessels with LOA over 60m.

What time zone is Delfzijl in?

Local time at Delfzijl 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 Delfzijl?

The deepest berth listed is at Handelshaven: 10.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Delfzijl?

1007-1020.

Which load line zone is Delfzijl 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 Delfzijl?

Port State Control at Delfzijl: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Delfzijl?

The UN/LOCODE of Delfzijl is NLDZL.

What crews who called at Delfzijl 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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