Ghent

Size limits

LOA 235m, beam 36.92m, draught 12.5m, 87,376DWT.

Water density

1000.

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

North Sea-Scheldt Estuary: Seagoing vessels bound for Ghent take a pilot before the Belgian coast; for vessels coming from the N, at the "MSB" Buoy, for vessels coming from the S at the "A1" Buoy. The pilot then takes the vessel to Flushing.

Terneuzen-Ghent: The sea canal, Ghent-Terneuzen, has a total length of 32km from the locks to the S quay of the Grootdok in the port of Ghent, a width of 150-200m and a depth of 13.0m.

On the canal (fresh water) and also in the various port docks vessels are not hindered by tidal movements or currents.

Vessels arriving on maximum draught of 12.5m FW will have a draught check at Terneuzen prior to continuing to Ghent.

Port limits

Northern boundary at parallel 51°11'N; Southern boundary at parallel 51°04'N.

Traffic schemes and VTS

The Port of Ghent operates a continuously manned Harbour Master's Office and has its own Vessel Traffic and Operations Department. It is primarily responsible for the safety of traffic and navigation in the port docks and on main waterways. The passage of shipping is planned and controlled. The Office also assigns berths in the entire port area, enforces Port Bye-laws and other regulations, patrols the entire port area, keeping traffic ways clear, and coordinates information on all traffic movements. The Department executes the Port's admission policy. The Harbour Master's Office provides all the necessary information regarding positions of ships.

The Western lock at Terneuzen is crucial in the planning of inbound and outbound sea ships. Vessel schedules for the Lock are fixed 6 hours before a ship arrives in the lock. Required Time of Arrivals at the lock can be delayed by only 20 minutes. Slots can be interchanged.

Tidal vessels have priority over regular line ships which have priority on all other vessels. On the Ghent-Terneuzen Canal there are two areas for deep draught vessels (more than 10.0m) to pass at Massagoehaven (The Netherlands) and at Arcelor mittal (Belgium).

The aim is to give a vessel a clear passage once the planning has been fixed, using all means available as efficiently as possible. For this purpose, the GTI-Tool is used (Gent Terneuzen Information) is used. See http://www.GTITool.be for further information.

All information obtained or supplied by VTS should be used by the Master of the vessel concerned to help improve navigational safety. The information should not override the prevailing regulations and may not be used as a reason for disregarding prevailing regulations or refraining from any measures that are consistent with good seamanship.

The responsibility for safe navigation always remains with the waterway user.

Only communication relating to safe navigation is allowed on VHF Ch 11. If necessary, the VTS Operator will intervene in the event of excessive communication to keep channels clear.

All vessels in the port of Ghent should keep a constant watch on VHF Ch 11.

Anchorages

Rede van Terneuzen, (51°20.6'N 003°51.3'E), also known as Put van Terneuzen, provides good anchorage when W winds render anchorage unsafe in Flushing roads.

There are 3 deepwater anchor berths, "A", "B" and "C". The narrow white sectors of Othenepolder Light, (51°20.2'N 003°51.6'E) and the S limit of the white sector of Margarethapolder Light, (51°21.0'N 003°53.2'E) indicate the anchorage berths.

Tidal streams are strong, vessels intending to use this anchorage should inform the Schelde Information Service.

There is anchorage for small vessels near Buoy No 21.

Restrictions

Operation: The passage opening is 60m wide through all bridges. The least vertical clearance beneath any of the bridges when closed is 6.75m.

The bridges are only opened for sea going vessels and those vessels which, with all parts down which can be lowered, such as masts, are unable to proceed under the bridges.

Due to heavy road traffic the bridges at Sluiskil and Sas van Ghent are closed to shipping from, 0700-0720hrs, 0745-0805hrs and 1700-1720hrs, Mon-Fri (inclusive).

The road bridge at Sluiskil may also be closed on weekdays from 1130-1150hrs, 1400-1420hrs and 1600-1620hrs.

Oil tankers which having 150t or more are required to have an IOPP certificate (International Oil Pollution Prevention) prior to arrival in port of Ghent.

Tugs

On the Moervaart one tug is compulsory and a second one on pilot's advice, to travel in the fairway and avoid collision with the gas pipeline just before the bridge, where the air draught is 8.0m.

Over 15 tugs are available ranging from 1,500-4,000hp. If necessary more powerful tugs can be ordered.

Charts and publications

BA 114. Admiralty Pilot NP28, NP286(1).

Koninklijke Marine – Dienst der Hydrografie (Royal Navy – Hydrographical service):

1801, 1803, 1805, 1807, 1809, 1810, 1811, 1812

Hydrographer of the Royal Netherlands Navy:

1444 – INT 1479

Ministerie van de Vlaamse Gemeenschap (Ministry of the Flemish Community):

103, 104, 105, 106

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Should be sent by telex, fax, cable or telephone, 10, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 day prior to arrival.

All ships must give at least a 24 hours notice of ETA before entering the port. Upon arrival, notice should be given by using the ENIGMA Port Information System. Harbour Master office must be informed of intended sailing sufficiently in advance at least 6 hours of departure.

Standard messages

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

Notice of readiness

Unless otherwise agreed upon, usual office hours at Ghent for tendering NOR are 0900-1200hrs and 1400-1700hrs. On Sat from 0900-1200hrs. Sun and legal holidays are always excepted.

To be valid the NOR should be given in writing (letter, telegram or telex). It is recommended that the receiver of the NOR by telex should acknowledge receipt of the same.

Documents

Health Declaration, to be completed by pilot at Flushing roads prior to arrival.

Immigration Declaration, according to Schengen Agreement, completed in the locks at Terneuzen.

Health

The Master has to complete and sign a Maritime Declaration of Health. The standard international form has to be used.

When a pilot comes aboard, the form Maritime Declaration of Health has to be handed over to the pilot.

In cases where a vessel calls at the Port of Ghent without a pilot, the Declaration of Health has to be emailed to [email protected].

In urgent cases or in case of emergency, Saniport services can be contacted through mobile phone number +32 475 44 00 55.

The email address above is that of The Belgian Governmental Authority (FOD Sociale Zaken en Volksgezondheid - SPF Affaires Sociales et Sante Publique), to which the Maritime Declaration of Health, as well as other relevant information on health matters on board, can be sent as pre-arrival information from ships calling at Ghent.

Customs and immigration

Prior to arrival at port, two copies of Crew List (IMO FAL 5 Form) and two copies of Passenger List, if applicable, (IMO FAL 6 Form) must be submitted to the Maritime and River Police. If the vessel is less than 24hrs sailing from its previous port of call, then the list(s) must be submitted upon departure from that previous port of call. In the event of stowaways, the Master must also submit two copies of a Stowaway list. No crew is allowed on shore leave prior to the delivery of a vessel's relevant documentation.

Similarly, no less than two hours prior to planned departure, the master must submit two copies of his departure Crew List (IMO FAL 5 Form) and, if relevant, two copies of his departure Passenger List. Once authorisation has been given, crew (and passengers) are no longer permitted to leave the vessel.

The customs declaration for seagoing vessels may be carried out at the following times:

From 0800-1200hrs and from 1300-1700hrs, during the first five weekdays, legal holidays excepted, Sat, from 0800-1200hrs, legal holidays excepted.

Notices and regulations

Dangerous Goods: Information on this can be obtained from the Harbour Master's office and on website http://www.gabinfo.net (Dutch version only).

Ice Report: When reason arises, a daily report is issued for the benefit of shipping regarding the ice situation and the navigability of the ports of Ghent and Antwerp.

The broadcast of the messages takes place daily by Oostende CRS.

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

All types of repairs can be carried out.

Dry docks

The following drydocks are available:

Located at Wiedauwkaai, (Voorhaven), a large drydock, 130m x 13m x 5.25m over the sill and a small drydock, 75.85m x 11m x 4.45m.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available by barge. Should be ordered on working days between 0800-1500hrs at the port commander's department.

Bunkering: Full bunkering facilities are available from several companies. Orders should be placed through agents. A bunker checklist has been introduced by the Port, see website: http://www.gabinfo.net. All bunkering activities should be reported to the Harbour Master's Office on VHF Ch 11.

Stores: Available.

Electrical supply: From 2014 all sea-going vessels will be able to make use of quayside electricity supplies. This means that moored vessels will no longer have to keep their engines running to generate electricity.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Ghent University Hospital, 7.5km.

Transport

Nearest airport: Brussels Airport, 74km.

Nearest railway: Gent-Sint-Pieters Spoor 9, 7.3km.

Working hours

Normally 0750-1125hrs and 1325-1700hrs, shift work, (special rates), 0600-1400hrs, 1400-2200hrs and 2200-0600hrs.

Harbour Masters’ Office Ghent (VTS-HKD / Port Control Ghent)

24 hours per day: +32 9 251 04 57

Where it is

The inland port of Ghent (also known as Gent) is linked to the North Sea via the Western Scheldt Waterway.

The port

The inland port of Ghent is linked to international sea routes by an artificial canal starting at Terneuzen, 17.5nm to the North. This maritime canal, which has no tides or currents, is accessible to Post Panamax vessels of up to 92,000DWT, having a maximum length of 265m, a beam of 37m and a maximum draught of 12.5m.

The Ghent port area consists of five docks (Grootdok, Sifferdok, Mercatordok, Rodenhuizedok and the new Kluizendok) with a total quay length of approx 27km. The area includes Ro-Ro jetties.

Arriving vessels are dealt with by the ENIGMA port information system through which pilots, tugs and other services can be ordered on line.

The port has up to date facilities including newly built warehouses and modern cranes.

During the last ten years the port has seen an expansion of its seaborne cargo handling, while at the same time a diversification in its traffic flow has occurred. Barge traffic plays an important part in the port's activities, arriving at the port via the European inland waterway system.

Principal commodities handled: Break bulk, such as paper and cellulose, timber and logs, iron and steel, cereals and derivatives, cars, trucks and spare parts. Bulk goods such as coal, ores, fertilisers, sand, gravel and minerals, deep frozen concentrated fruit juice and petroleum products.

Traffic

Approx 67,000,000t cargo and 189,000TEU are handled annually.

Please note that the traffic figures are combined for the Terneuzen, Ghent and Vlissingen ports.

What are the pilot arrangements at Ghent?

Pilotage is compulsory for seagoing vessels.

What time zone is Ghent in?

Local time at Ghent 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 Ghent?

The deepest berth listed is at Euro-Silo (Sifferdok): 12.50 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Ghent?

1000.

Which load line zone is Ghent 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 Ghent?

Port State Control at Ghent: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Ghent?

The UN/LOCODE of Ghent is BEGNE.

What crews who called at Ghent 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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