Ostend

Size limits

LOA 191.5m, beam 42m, draught 6m, 53,036DWT.

Water density

1003.

Load line zone

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

Tides

Range 4.50m.

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

Approach

°The approach is obstructed by numerous banks and shoals and there are several approach routes. The final approach from seaward is through Rechstreekse Kil, the channel leading from Grote Rede to the harbour entrance. The channels are continuously being dredged.

Ostend harbour may be approached as follows:

From NW: Through Negenvaam a channel used by medium draught vessels between Kwinte Bank and Middelkerke Bank. It is marked on its E side by Middelkerkebank Lightbuoy, (51°18.2'N 002°42.8'E). "D1" Lightbuoy marks the channel between Neganvaam and Noordpas.

Middelkerkebank N Lightbuoy, (51°20.9'N 002°46.4'E) marks the N end of Middelkerkebank and Middelkerkebank S Lightbuoy, (51°14.8'N 002°42.0'E) marks the S end of this bank.

From N: Through the following route: Wandelaar Pilot Station, then; between A1 Lightbuoy and Ostendebank Noord Lightbuoy, (51°22.0'N 002°56.5'N), then; through the channel between Ravelingen and Wenduine Bank, which is marked on its E side by Ostendebank Oost Lightbuoy and on its E side by Wenduine Bank West Lightbuoy, (51°17.3'N 002°52.9'E).

Then; to Buitenstroombank Lightbuoy moored in Grote Rede, 2.25nm NNW of the entrance to Ostend Harbour.

Harbour Entrance: The harbour is entered between the new West and East Breakwaters (Channel width up to 700m). The Outer Channel then narrows down to 227m at the Inner Entrance. Ostend leading lights are exhibited from 2 white and red framework towers, visible at 4nm, standing on the E side of the port at the end of Zeewezendok. The front tower is 36m high (lights Iso(1).W.4s) and rear tower is 46m high (Lights Iso(1).4s) giving transit bearing of 143°(323°).

Traffic schemes and VTS

International Port Traffic Signals: Used to regulate vessel traffic. These signals are exhibited from the signal station at the head of East Pier (51°14.4'N 002°55.2'E).

A yellow quick flashing light is exhibited in addition to the normal traffic signals when it is required to keep the dredged channel between the entrance and Demeysluis (0.9nm from the entrance) clear for cross channel ferries. This signal is repeated on the mast on the S side of the entrance to Montgomerydok (51°14.0'N 002°55.4'E). When this light is displayed above a red light on the mast at Montgomerydok, vessels wishing to leave Montgomerydok or Visserijdok must stop and wait within the dock.

Special traffic signals are exhibited at the entrance to Montgomerydok and Vissersulsis. Under a yellow quick flashing light are two traffic boards, the top one with red arrows, the bottom with green arrows. These boards indicate the right of way to departing vessels.

A yellow quick flashing light above a red light is exhibited on the W side of the navigation channel indicating the right of way to vessels departing from the S end of Voorhaven.

Dock signals are exhibited from a signal from a signal mast on the W side of Demeysluis (51°13.6'N 002°55.8'E). No signal (day) or a blue light (night) indicates the lock is closed. A black ball (day) or two blue lights vertically disposed (night) indicated that the lock is open.

When the canal sluices are operated, a current of up to 1kt can occur in Voorhaven, which makes berthing difficult. An orange light is exhibited from the fixed bridge spanning the S end of Voorhaven when the sluice is about to be operated. This light is changed to red when the sluice is open.

Anchorages

There is anchorage in Grote Rede, which is 5nm in length 1nm wide in depths from 8.0-10.0m over a bottom of sand and mud.

A good berth is with Ostend Cathedral twin spires bearing 133° distance 2.75nm.

Baland Bank lies in the W part of Grote Rede, the outer road is not considered a safe anchorage.

Kleine Road, the inner road has depths from 6.0-7.5m over a width of 0.5nm.

The holding ground is indifferent, especially near the harbour entrance and it should only be used as a temporary anchorage for vessels about to enter the harbour.

Restrictions

The harbour has been dredged to 8.4m below CD, max draught 8.0m.

Night berthing and unberthing is possible.

Tugs

There are 2 tugs of 32t bollard pull available to meet vessels outside harbour.

Mooring

No special arrangements.

Charts and publications

BA 1350, 1873, 1874. Admiralty Pilot NP28, NP286(1).

ETA and pre-arrival notices

Should be advised to Verkeerscentrale Zeebrugge at least 6 hours prior to arrival at the Wandelaar pilot station and again when 2 hours from the pilot station. 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).

Standard messages

See pilot and traffic signals in Navigation Section for vessels with draught restrictions and/or dangerous cargo. Advice of river tidal levels can be obtained by VHF radio.

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. Harbour service, Health inspection, Tel: +32 50 333015.

Ship Sanitation Control arranged through Antwerp.

Customs and immigration

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

Customs and Excise, Ostend, Tel: +32 59 321991.

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)”.

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

There are a number of contractors for afloat repairs and a ship elevator and slipways for smaller vessels.

Bunkers, water and stores

Fresh water: Available.

Bunkering: All grades available.

Stores: Available.

Medical

Nearest hospital: AZ Oostende - Serruys (1.5km).

Transport

Nearest airport: Ostend–Bruges International Airport (5km).

Working hours

Administration: Mon-Fri 0800-1200hrs and 1315-1715hrs, locks and cranes operate 7 days a week throughout 24 hours.

Where it is

Ostend (also known as Oostende) is situated on the English Channel coast of Belgium, close the border with The Netherlands.

The port

The Port of Ostend features a deep-water outer harbor and an inner harbor accessible via locks. It includes three yacht harbours and berths along the Gent-Oostende Canal. With robust transport links, the port connects to motorways, railroads, and the European inland waterway network. It serves as a ferry and cruise terminal, a medium-sized commercial and fishing port, and a recreational hub. Recently, renewable energy initiatives, led by REBO, have revitalized the economy by focusing on offshore wind turbines and maintenance services, ensuring future growth and sustainability.

Traffic

Approx 1,400,000t of cargo, 4,000 vessels and 1,300 passengers handled annually.

What are the pilot arrangements at Ostend?

Vessels with a Belgian destination carrying dangerous cargoes, gas products, or which last carried gas products and are not gas free, are required to send the following additional information.

What time zone is Ostend in?

Local time at Ostend 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 Ostend?

The deepest berth listed is at Cockerillquay (Voorhaven): 7.20 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Ostend?

1003.

Which load line zone is Ostend 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 Ostend?

Port State Control at Ostend: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Ostend?

The UN/LOCODE of Ostend is BEOST.

What crews who called at Ostend 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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