PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Eemshaven
Pilot
updated May 2010- Ems estuary reporting point Pilot53°37.0′N 006°19.5′E
- Eemshaven Pilot Station Pilot boards53°27.0′N 006°50.0′E
Pilotage is compulsory for vessels over 90m LOA and all vessels used for the transport of oil, gas, or chemicals in bulks, even when empty but have not yet been degassed and had dangerous residue removed, and vessels carrying dangerous cargo. Contact Loodswezen Noord, by Tel: +31 596 613672, fax +31 596 610306 or on VHF Ch 66, 87 or 02. The distance from the pilot station to Eemshaven quay is approx 23nm.
Pilot boards near Westereems Lightbuoy, in bad weather off Borkum, between Lightbuoys Nos 13 (53°35.7'N 006°35.3'E) to 19 (53°33.2'N 006°41.0'E).
Vessels should send ETA at least 12 hours prior to arrival at Westerems Lightbuoy and confirm ETA 6 hours prior to arrival. If an ETA deviates more than 1 hour from the latest ETA, a new message must be sent at least 6 hours prior to arrival at Westerems buoy. On departure from Eemshaven or shifting in the port, a pilot can be obtained at 1.5 hours notice prior to departure on VHF Ch 87 or Tel: +31 596 613672, Fax: +31 596 610306.
Key data
updated Sep 2016Size limits
Largest vessel handled: "Embassy", tanker, LOA 370m, beam 70m
Max draught 11.0m.
Water density
1018 - 1021.
Load line zone
North Atlantic Winter Seasonal Zone II, Winter Nov 1 to Mar 31, Summer Apr 1 to Oct 31.
Tides
Range, springs 2.78m, neaps 2.13m. Tidal stream set across the approach track. It is therefore advisable to follow the 175° alignment from as great a distance as possible from the harbour entrance. Particular care is needed when passing between the moleheads in high winds.
Max draft per terminal
| Terminal | Max draught | Max LOA | Berths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilhelminahaven Basin | 12.00 m | 300 m | 3 |
| Vopak Terminal | 11.00 m | 228 m | 1 |
| Julianahaven Basin | 10.50 m | 347 m | 2 |
| Beatrixhaven | 7.50 m | 185 m | 1 |
| Emmahaven Basin | — | — | 2 |
Deepest first. The draught is the largest any of the terminal's berths states; a dash means the source gives none.
Approach
updated May 2010Approach
Caution: Depths within the harbour basin may be less than charted due to irregular dredging.
Traffic schemes and VTS
In the port of Eemshaven, a Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) system is operational.
The system covers the roads of the approaches, as well as the main fairways and adjacent harbour basins. 'Vessel Traffic Centre Ems' monitors VHF Ch 01. All vessels must maintain a listening watch on this channel. Radar assistance can be provided throughout 24 hours when visibility falls below 2,000m.
For general information call Eemshaven Port Control on VHF Ch 66;
Tel: +31 596 640400; Fax +31 596 630424.
Anchorages
Vessels up to 4,000DWT, which have to anchor outside the piers, can anchor E of the harbour entrance. Larger vessels should anchor in the Doekegat or Oude Westereems near Eemshaven. Request for anchorage position made through 'Vessel Traffic Ems' VHF Ch 18 or 20. There is no anchorage inside the harbours of Delfzijl and Eemshaven.
Dangerous cargo vesssels: Anchor in the Doekegat or Oude Westereems near Emmshaven.
Restrictions
Permission on entry is required from Harbour Control. Tankers and vessels carrying dangerous cargoes may not enter if visibility is less than 1,000m, unless permitted by the Harbour Master.
Tugs
Three tugs, equipped for ice breaking and up to 32t bollard pull are available. However, they must be ordered in advance. Additional tugs can arrive within 3 hours from Emden.
Mooring
Boatmen are available through Groningen Seaports Nautical Service Centre.Delfzifl Port Control, VHF Ch 66.
Charts and publications
BA 3509, 3510, NL 1460, 1555. DE 90, 91. Admiralty Pilot NP28.
Reporting before arrival
updated Aug 2010Communications
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.
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 Certificates 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 516089.
Immigration procedures are carried out by the agent, Tel: +31 596 516101.
Notices and regulations
Seagoing vessels, which because of the depth of water, are limited in their ability to manoeuvre and all vessels more than LOA 230m and/or with a draught of 10.0m or more, are required to display the signal prescribed in Rule 28 of The International Regulations for preventing Collisions at Sea (1972).
The use of anchors within the harbour is prohibited unless authorised by the Harbour Master.
Inspections
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.
Port services
updated May 2010Repairs
Shipbuilding and fitting out yard with floating dock is available in Eemmshaven.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available.
Bunkering: Fuel in limited quantities is always available ex-lighter or bunker barge. Arrangements should be made in advance, via agent, for larger quantities.
Medical
Hospital, Delfzijl, 15km or Groningen, 30km; Doctor, Spijk, 10km.
Transport
Nearest airport: Groningen, 35km.
Airport facilities: Domestic and European connections, limited air freight facilities.
Nearest railway: Direct railway connection to Groningen (freight). Passenger trains, 10km.
Working hours
Mon to Fri, 0800-1700hrs offices.
Stevedores: Mon to 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.
About Eemshaven
updated Apr 2021Where it is
Eemshaven is a new port located on reclaimed land, at the mouth of the River Eems and near the main North Sea shipping routes.
The port
The port mainly handles bulk cargo, general cargo, offshore, project heavy, coal, Ro-Ro and liquid cargo. The port is also the largest onshore wind park in Netherlands.
Traffic
Approx 3,444,000t of cargo handled annually.
Questions about Eemshaven
Where does the pilot board at Eemshaven?
The pilot boards at Ems estuary reporting point, 53°37.0′N 006°19.5′E. Eemshaven has 2 pilot boarding places.
What time zone is Eemshaven in?
Local time at Eemshaven 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 Eemshaven?
The deepest berth listed is at Wilhelminahaven Basin: 12.00 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.
What is the water density at Eemshaven?
1018 - 1021.
Which load line zone is Eemshaven 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 Eemshaven?
Port State Control at Eemshaven: Paris MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Eemshaven?
The UN/LOCODE of Eemshaven is NLEEM.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Eemshaven 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.
A planning aid, not for navigation. These facts come from public sources and each section shows how old it is. Check with the port, your agent, your ENCs and official publications. Spotted something wrong? Tell us on the feedback board.