PORT GUIDE · FOR OFFICERS, MASTERS AND SHORE TEAMS
Moerdijk
Pilot
updated May 2010Pilotage is compulsory for all vessels over 70m in length and vessels of any length carrying dangerous cargoes.
Pilot ordered through the Rotterdam Harbour Master's Reporting Center: Fax +31 10 592 5767, telex 21058 dirk NL, email: [email protected].
To make the coming and going of a pilot on and off the vessel as efficient as possible and to avoid waiting, vessels are obliged to send a timely ETA/ETD message. The ETA message requesting a pilot should be sent at least 6 hours prior to arrival and must contain specific information in accordance with IMO standard reporting procedures. The ETA must be amended and confirmed if arrival is more than 1 hour overdue. Moreover, it is recommended to communicate with Maas Approach as soon as possible via VHF on Channel 1, to confirm the ETA or changes.
Key data
updated Jul 2021Size limits
LOA 199.9m, beam 32.26m, draught 8.40m, 56,771DWT.
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: 0.77m
LW: 0.45m
Approach
updated Mar 2021Approach
The approach to the berths from either Dordtsche Kil or Hollandsch Diep is E of Sassenplat and through Zuid Hollandsch Diep, from where there is direct access to the berths. The passage W of Sassenplat is prohibited.
Hollandsch Diep: Located at 51°42.0'N 004°30.0'E, runs 8nm in a generally E direction from Volkeraksluizen and Haringvlietbrug, 1nm NW of the lock to its junction with the S entrance to Dordtsche Kil.
It is marked by buoys and lightbuoys prefixed "HD". Initially the channel lies on the S side of Hollandsch Diep but crosses to the N side of Sassenplaat, 51°42.0'N 004°35.0'E, an island 1.5nm SE of the entrance to Dordtsche Kil.
Zuid Hollandsch Diep: A deep narrow channel to the S of Sassenplaat, which gives access to the industrial complex at Moerdijk, marked by numbered buoys and lightbuoys prefixed "ZHD", prohibited to recreational craft.
Dordtsche Kil: Located at 51°46.0'N 004°38.0'E, runs 5nm N from Hollandsch Diep to Oude Mass. Willenmsdorp, 51°44.0'N 004°38.0'E stands on the E side of Dordtsche Kil close to its S entrance.
A sector light (round grey beacon) stands on the E side of Dordtsche Kil, thereafter the fairway, with an approx width of 75m is indicated by 5 successive sets of leading lights, as well as beacons on the shore.
Restrictions
Minimum Under Keel Clearance (UKC) of 5% of actual draught is applicable throughout the port waterways.
Tugs
Available on request.
Mooring
Two mooring locations are available at Hollandsch Diep on request.
Charts and publications
BA133. Admiralty Pilot NP28, NP286(1).
Reporting before arrival
updated May 2010ETA and pre-arrival notices
The messages should be sent to Pilotage Vlissingen, Tel: +31 1184 89502, Fax: +31 1184 12321, Telex: 37811, or via Scheveningen Radio (PCH), or [email protected]
A change of hour, or more, in ETA/ETD should be reported to Port Co-ordination Centre on VHF Ch 19.
Communications
Radio: Communications should be sent via Scheveningen Radio, which operates throughout 24 hours, 7 days a week.
Inmarsat communication is possible.
See port of Rotterdam entry for full communications and pilotage information.
VHF: Port Authority: Ch 12.
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.
Immigration procedures are carried out by the agent.
Notices and regulations
In the Moerdijk Port, just as on the Dutch inland waterways, the Inland Navigation Police Regulations (BPR) and ANDR's (competency certificates) are applicable. Besides these national regulations, the Moerdijk Port Authority Port Regulations are applicable and there may be notifications to Shipping (BAS) issued.
Vessels with a draught 8.0m or over, bound for Moerdijk, are required to report to the Coordination Centre Rotterdam (HCC) or Regional Traffic Centre Dordrecht (RTC). The message should include the vessel's dimensions and ETA at Oude Maas.
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 Apr 2021Repairs
Major repairs generally not permitted at Moerdijk. Likewise, painting activities should be requested from the harbour service of the Moerdijk Port Authority.
Bunkers, water and stores
Fresh water: Available on request through the agent.
Bunkering: Available on request through the agent.
Storage: Available on request through the agent.
Medical
Nearest hospital: Erasmus University Medical Centre (28km)
Crew change
Possible according to official approval.
Transport
Nearest airport: Breda International Airport (16.5km)
Nearest railway transit: Lage Zwaluwe (4km)
About Moerdijk
updated Jul 2021Where it is
Moerdijk Container Terminals (MCT) is strategically situated halfway between Rotterdam and Antwerp. The inland terminal is directly connected with both ports via inland shipping.
Moerdijk Harbour is located at the end of Hollandsch Diep, on the Rhine-Scheldt Canal.
The port
Moerdijk, a multipurpose harbour, has an industrial area and port facility, which mainly handles oil, chemical products, general cargo, bulk timber, building materials, sand and gravel.
There are 5 basins, Hollandsch Diep Harbour, Roode Vaart Harbour, Eastern Harbour, Central Harbour and Western Harbour. The basins are approx 0.5nm apart and run SSE from the S shore of Zuid Hollandsch Diep. There is a "T" shaped tanker berth to the W of the basins.
Traffic
Approx 4,000 of cargo and 165,000TEU handled annually.
Questions about Moerdijk
What are the pilot arrangements at Moerdijk?
Pilotage is compulsory for all vessels over 70m in length and vessels of any length carrying dangerous cargoes.
What time zone is Moerdijk in?
Local time at Moerdijk 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 Moerdijk?
1000.
Which load line zone is Moerdijk 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 Moerdijk?
Port State Control at Moerdijk: Paris MOU.
What is the UN/LOCODE of Moerdijk?
The UN/LOCODE of Moerdijk is NLMOE.
Tips from seafarers
What crews who called at Moerdijk 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.