IJmuiden

1. IJmuiden/Noordzeekanaal helicopter boarding area Pilot boards by helicopter52°28.0′N 004°15.0′E

Size limits

Max LOA 320m, beam 50m, draught 17.8m, 208,445DWT.

Water density

1025.

Load line zone

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

Tides

Approx 3nm W of Ijmuiden, the NE current begins 2hrs before HW and then continues until 3hrs after HW. The currents attains a max rate of approx 1.7kts at the time of HW. The SW current on the other hand begins 4hrs after HW at Ijmuiden and continues until 3hrs before HW. This current attains a max rate of approx 1.3kts at 5hrs 30mins after HW.

Off the port entrance, the current starts approx 50mins earlier than offshore. The NE current runs until 3hrs after HW and attains a max rate of 1.8kts at the time of HW. The SW current on the other hand runs until 3hrs before HW and attains a max rate of 1.2kts at 5hrs after HW. In the event of bad weather, the current may attains rates of up to 5-6kts in the vicinity of the breakwaters.

In general the flood current is strongest and runs in a NE'ly direction, where as the weaker ebb current flows SW'ly.

The Hydro Meteorological Advice Service, which is based at SLC, produces tidal information for deep draught vessels based upon their under keel clearance. This information includes windows for the harbour approach, passing through the breakwaters and for passing over the sill of Noordersluis.

Although not constrained by draught, vessels with a length of 260m and/or a draught greater than 12.0m should enter IJmuiden when tidal streams are at their weakest. Subject to the advice of the pilot and prevailing meteorological conditions, the most favourable time to pass between the breakwaters is between 1.5 to 3 hours before, or 2.5 to 4 hours after, HW IJmuiden.

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

Approach

The IJmuiden Centre Fairway Buoy is in position (52°28.7'N., 004°23.9'E), approx 5.3nm W of the breakwaters. The IJ Channel is buoyed on the S side of the channel. The entrance of the IJ Channel is marked with Fairway Boy "IJM" (52°29.6'N., 003°51.6'E). The width of the IJ Channel is 400m and depth is up to 17.8m. It is not permitted for 2 vessels, constrained by the channel, to pass each other in the channel.

For channel bound vessels (draughts exceeding 14.1m) the correct approach is by means of the deep draught channel; the IJ Geul.

The North Sea Canal: Length 12nm, depth 15.0 with an overall width of 270m. For vessels with a draught of more than 8.0m, the effective width is 170m.

The average water level of the canal is kept on NAP (canal datum) minus 0.5m.

Care should be taken as regular dredging work takes place in the approaches and North Sea Locks.

Port limits

The port of IJmuiden and the North Sea Canal ports are part of the whole North Sea Canal area (including Zaandam and Amsterdam). The port limits of port management of Amsterdam are as follows:

Nautical sector W: The deep water channel (IJ Geul), the anchorages, the sea area covered by radar (approx 20nm), the port of IJmuiden (including the locks) and the North Sea Canal to the 10.2km pole (the Hourak).

Nautical sector E: The North Sea Canal area from the 10.2km pole, the ports of Zaandam and Amsterdam to the entrances of the Oranje locks and the Amsterdam Rhine Canal.

Traffic schemes and VTS

There is no traffic separation scheme for the approach to IJmuiden but deep draught vessels heading for IJmuiden must be aware of the NE going traffic from Rotterdam to the Texel TSS.

New TSS: As from Aug 1st 2013 there will be a new TSS introduced for the approaches to Ijmuden. This will consist of W and E dog legged lanes with a NW-SW lane for texel traffic intersecting midway. New anchorage areas will be added and existing one closest to the port near the traffic lane will be reduced in size.

A Vessel Traffic Service Scheme is maintained for the control of shipping from IJmuiden approaches to Amsterdam. Traffic Centre VHF Ch 07 (W of IJmuiden Lightbuoy); Port Control Ch 61 (from IJmuiden Lightbuoy to the N Sea Locks).

Anchorages

There are 3 deep water anchorages available S and near the entrance of the IJ Channel.

The anchorage for IJmuiden roads is N of the IJ Channel, NW of IJmuiden Fairway Buoy.

Vessels with the intention to make use of the anchorages have to report to "Traffic Centre IJmuiden", as do those vessels not bound for IJmuiden or the North Sea Canal area.

Non channel bound vessels: The limits of a recommended anchorage area, centred on 52°31'N., 004°17'E, for vessels waiting to enter IJmuiden. The W part of this anchorage id reserved for vessels with a draught between 13.1m and 14.1m.

Prohibited anchorage: Within 1nm either side of two pipelines which extend from the coast, one either side, of the entrance to IJmuiden.

In an area on either side of the IJ-Geul extending 3nm W of the head of IJmuiden S Breakwater.

Corps Van Vletterlieden provides tender services to vessels at anchorage and for offshore wind farm support.

Restrictions

Vessels with a length of 200m and/or a draught greater than approx 12.0m, should enter IJmuiden when tidal streams are at their weakest; subject to the advice of the pilot and prevailing meteorological conditions. The most favourable time to pass between the breakwaters is therefore between about 1.5 and 3 hours before, or about 3 hours after, HW IJmuiden.

Mooring

All vessels with the intention of passing the locks are obliged to make use of boatmen provided by Corps Van Vletterlieden. A lay by berth (dolphins) is available in the Inner Sluice Canal on the N bank of the North Sea Canal just inside the locks. This berth is only for small vessels approaching from sea that wish to take shelter due to the weather conditions.

Monnickendam Quay and Volendam Quay are provided with bollards with a SWL of 60t and a centre distance of 14.585m.

Vessels are prohibited from entering the Weather Berth with their propulsion first. The engine room of the vessel must remain as close to the exit as possible.

Charts and publications

BA 124, 125, 1408, 1631, 2182A. Admiralty Pilot NP55, NP286(1).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Notice of ETA required is dependent on type and size of vessel.

Vessels requiring special permission, like a draught or beam exemption, to use Noordersluis, should give 7 days notice prior to arrival.

Channel bound vessels should advise ETA 24 hours prior to arrival at the helicopter pilot boarding position.

Tankers, vessels carrying dangerous cargoes and vessels constrained by the channel are required to give 24 hours notice prior to arrival in Netherland waters, confirming ETA 8 hours prior to arrival.

All shipping categories should give at least 6 hours notice prior to arrival at pilot boarding point and 4 hours for departing vessels.

An ETA confirmation is required 3 hours and 1 hour prior to arrival at the boarding positions: An amending report is required for deviations of more than 0.5 hours in time of arrival. In general it is advisable for vessels to report their ETA and any changes regularly to VTS IJmuiden in order that lock clearances and tidal planning for tide restricted vessels can be co-ordinated by the Ship Co-ordination Centre (SLC) located near the W end of Noordersluis.

Times of arrival:

Large vessels which can only make use of the Noordersluis are subject to a traffic planning system. It is important for these vessels to adhere to their ETA or ETD in order that delays are kept to a minimum. Vessels constrained by draught are ranked above other vessels. The possibility of two channel bound vessels entering port on one tide reduces substantially if one of the vessels concerned has an arrival draught greater than 16.5m.

Contents of message:

ETA reports should be addressed to: Pilot VTS IJmuiden, Tel: +31 255 564500, Fax: +31 255 532535, Telex: 71169, VHF Ch 07 "Traffic Centre IJmuiden".

ETA delays of 30 minutes or more should be reported to IJmuiden VTS. The contents of a delay message should contain: A, B, J and O as above.

ETD to be sent to Amsterdam Pilots direct or via Amsterdam Port Control on Ch 14 or 68, or, Ijmuiden Port Control on Ch 61.

Tata Steel Terminal's - Master or owners of vessel to give 96 and 48hrs respectively and 24hrs definite notice of vessel's load readiness at IJmuiden. Failing this, time for loading to be increased by 24hrs.

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.

For tankers: Tanker Check List.

For clearance: Ship's papers and shipping documents and Certificate of Registry, Crew's Effects, in duplicate.

Cargo documentation: A Stowage Plan for dangerous cargo, a Cargo Manifest and Bills of Lading are required.

Immigration: List of all persons onboard not listed as crew members.

Health

Uninfected vessels, coming from a plague infected country or port carrying valid Ship Sanitation Control Certificate or an Exemption Certificate are exempted from a sanitary examination.

Radio Medical Service (RMS) of The Netherlands Red Cross: The costs of RMS is fully borne by the Netherlands Red Cross. For contacting Radio Medical when berthed, Tel: +31 255 562401 (24 hours).

At sea: By RTF, RTG or RTX callsign "Radiomedical Scheveningen Radio".

The Netherlands Quarantine Regulations are based on the International Health Regulations.

Customs and immigration

An invoice along with the T2L document with a signature.

A manifest approved by the Customs Authority.

A document as stated in EU regulation No 2719/92

The goods will be stated as EU goods for vessels carrying out regular ferry services with the possession of Regular Service Licence unless supported by a T1 document.

The status of the goods need to be shown by the vessels operating with Regular Service Licence and a Simplified Procedures Licence, the addition of a 'C'.

Flags

Ships carrying dangerous goods must show the flag "B" during daytime and by night, a red light.

Ships with a draught of 8.0m or more, must show a black cylinder during daytime and by night, 3 vertical red lights.

Notices and regulations

It is compulsory for ships to use boatmen during their passage through the locks.

Vessels constrained by their draught should use the lights and shapes specified in Rule 28 of The International Regulation for Preventing Collisions at Sea 1972. They should be exhibited W of the N Sea Locks by channel bound vessels and in Noordzeckanaal by vessels exceeding 8.0m draught.

Vessels carrying dangerous cargoes: Seagoing vessels carrying dangerous substances can be locked into Noordzeekanaal provided visibility, measured from the bow, is twice the length of the vessel and provided the vessel's radar and communications equipment is operating correctly. Vessels carrying dangerous cargoes should exhibit a red flag by day and a fixed red light at light.

Prohibition on use of propellers: Vessels are assisted by tugs forward and aft when entering Noordersluis. The use of propellers is prohibited when passing over the outer or inner sills and is restricted to a minimum within the lock.

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

Shipyard Van Laar provides vessel maintenance, repairs and inspection. The services include: Cut and Shave Treatment, high pressure cleaning, painting of both under and above water ship, (re)placing anodes, welding, plate work, strengthening constructional reinforcements, replacement / repairs underwater parts such as propeller & shafts, portholes, engine overhaul / repair, annual insurance inspections, flag state inspections and hull thickness inspections. Additional facilities at the shipyard include metal, carpentry and painting.

Larger vessels and those requiring complex repair assistance are able to do so in the North Sea Canal region at Shipdock Amsterdam. The aforementioned shipdock is able to assist vessels up to 72,000DWT. Separately, Oranjewef Scheepsreparatie is able to dock vessels up to 4,000DWT.

For repairs to vessels at Tata Steel, diving operations are only allowed after obtaining a written permission from stevedores.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Available by lighters throughout 24 hours. Vessels can be bunkered up to 20km off the coast. No bunkering allowed at Tata Steel Terminal. Bunkering services provided by Klaas de Boer.

Stores: Provisions are available.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Rode Kruis Ziekenhuis (1.5km), Spaarne Gasthuis Haarlem Noord (5.4km) and Zaans Medical Center (13.1km).

Crew change

Crew changes at IJmuiden Roads by pilot tender is sometimes available, there are luggage restrictions.

Transport

Nearest airport: Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (20km).

Nearest railway: Driehuis Train Station (4km).

Nearest highway: The port has acces to highways A9 and A22.

Nearest public transport: Bus routes throughout Ijmuiden.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Tata Steel operates throughout 24 hours in three continuous shifts from 0600-1400hrs, 1400-2200hrs to 2200-0600hrs.

Where it is

The port of IJmuiden is situated at the entrance to the North Sea Canal, Netherlands.

Traffic

Approx 17,600,000t of cargo and 2,000 vessels handled annually.

Where does the pilot board at IJmuiden?

The pilot boards by helicopter at IJmuiden/Noordzeekanaal helicopter boarding area, 52°28.0′N 004°15.0′E.

What time zone is IJmuiden in?

Local time at IJmuiden 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 IJmuiden?

The deepest berth listed is at HES Bulk Terminal Amsterdam: 17.80 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at IJmuiden?

1025.

Which load line zone is IJmuiden 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 IJmuiden?

Port State Control at IJmuiden: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of IJmuiden?

The UN/LOCODE of IJmuiden is NLIJM.

What crews who called at IJmuiden 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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