Nieuwpoort

Size limits

LOA 82m, draught 5.3m, 1,540DWT.

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

Range 4.8m (springs), 3.1m (neaps).

Approach

The depth in the channel and harbour is 2.6m at MLWS. The directions are as follows:

From a position NW off the harbour entrance, 51°09.5'N 002°43.1'E, direct approach to the entrance may be made keeping clear of the foul patch, swept to 2.6m which lies 0.5nm N of the entrance.

The entrance lies between the heads of 2 pile piers on which stand lights, (both piers, white round metal towers). The piers project approx 550m NW from the coast, then the channel through the River Yzer leads 1.5nm SE to the port. The channel is marked by piles, (white top) some of which are lighted.

There is a route for small craft approaching from the W over the coastal bank formed by Broers Bank and Den Oever. In bad weather dangerous seas break on the bank. The passage should only be used by those with local knowledge and in calm seas with slack tide.

Traffic schemes and VTS

International Port Traffic Signals are used to regulate vessel traffic at the entrance.

These signals are exhibited from the signal tower at the inner end of West pier, (51°09.2'N 002°43.4'E).

Small craft signal: By day, 2 black cones, points together and by night a blue flashing light, exhibited from the signal tower, indicate that craft under 6m in length or under oars are prohibited from leaving the harbour.

This restriction is in force when the onshore wind is force 3 or more or the offshore wind is force 4 or more.

Tugs

There are no tugs available.

Charts and publications

BA 1873, 1406 and 1872. Admiralty Pilot NP28, NP286(1).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Should be advised at least 6 hours prior to arrival at Wandelaar Pilot Station for vessels embarking a pilot and 6 hours before arrival Nieuwpoort Roads for vessels exempt from pilotage. The message should include: Name, callsign, flag, port of destination, ETA at pilot station in UTC, draught in metres and centimetres, cargo (with IMO identification if applicable), agent and dimensions (GT, LOA, beam).

Communications

Scheveningen and Ostend Radio stations operate throughout 24 hours.

Satellite communications are possible.

VHF: Port: Ch 09, 16, call "Uitkijk Nieuwpoort" .

Wandelaar Pilots: Ch 09.

Standard messages

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

Notice of readiness

Normally tendered on arrival at pilot station or on berthing.

Documents

The documents are handed to immigration and customs via the vessel's agent.

Health

Free pratique is granted on arrival.

Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificate issued.

Customs and immigration

Immigration: Check validation of all vessel's documents. Non EC citizens (passengers) should have a valid visa. There are no restrictions on crew providing they are not signing off.

Notices and regulations

Scrubbers: In Belgium, the European Commission’s 2016 note on discharge of scrubber washwater, bans the discharge in ports and inland waters. Relevant legislation is “Wet van 26 maart 1971 op de bescherming van de oppervlaktewateren tegen verontreiniging (Vlaams Gewest)”.

Power driven vessels within the harbour are subject to speed limits.

Effective from 01st September 2016, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) will require sea carriers calling at EU ports to file Container Status Messages (CSMs). Vessels experiencing technical communication problems should report the issue via e-mail to the Commission's help-service email: [email protected].

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

Minor repairs only.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: Light and heavy oil available.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Veurne, 10km and Ostend, 20km.

Transport

Nearest airport: Middelkerke, 10km.

Nearest railway: Veurne, 10km and Ostend, 20km.

Working hours

Throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Nieuwpoort is a small port, 2.4km up the River Yser, 15nm ENE of Dunkerque.

The port

The harbour entrance is formed by two parallel piers running NW/SE, giving access to the inner harbour through a straight channel.

The port is a small port used by fishing vessels, small coasters and yachts.

What are the pilot arrangements at Nieuwpoort?

Pilotage is compulsory for all vessels carrying dangerous or polluting goods in bulk, or which are empty but not gas-free, and for all other vessels exceeding LOA 80m.

What time zone is Nieuwpoort in?

Local time at Nieuwpoort 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 Nieuwpoort?

1025.

Which load line zone is Nieuwpoort 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 Nieuwpoort?

Port State Control at Nieuwpoort: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Nieuwpoort?

The UN/LOCODE of Nieuwpoort is BENIE.

What crews who called at Nieuwpoort 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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