Zaanstad

Size limits

Max LOA 130.12m, beam 20.60m, draught 7.30m and 12,906DWT

Water density

1015.

Load line zone

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

Tides

Nil.

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

Approach

Access to the port is made through the three locks located at IJmuiden; Middensluis, Zuidersluis and Noordersluis. Middensluis and Zuidersluis are accessed via Zuider Buiten Canal and Noordersluis is accessed via Noorder Buiten Canal. The entrance fairway leading from the E end of Noorder Buiten Canal to this lock is dredged to a depth of 14.4m.

Zuidersluis may only be transited by vessels up to LOA 95.0m, beam 17.0m and a draught of 7.8m, the overall lock is 100m and 18.0m wide.

Middensluis may only be transited by vessels up to LOA 100.0m, beam 15.4m and a draught of 4.0m, the overall lock is 202m and 25m wide with depths of 10.0m on the sill.

Noordersluis is the largest lock and is 400m and 43.7m wide with depths of 15.0m on the sill.

Vessels proceeding to the port travel along the North Sea Canal with a max depth of 15.0m.

Anchorages

Channel bound vessels may anchor in a designated area situated on the S side of the IJ-Geul Approach Area, about 28 miles W of the port entrance of Ijmuiden. Special permission must be granted by VTS Centre at IJmuiden for all vessels willing to anchor in this location. Another designated anchorage area is located on the N side of the IJ-Geul channel, approx 10 miles WNW of the port entrance of Ijmuiden.

Anchoring in the Zaanstad harbour is prohibited without the permission of the Harbour Master.

Numerous prohibited anchorage areas lie in the approach to the North Sea Canal including an area extending 3 miles WNW from the breakwater heads. Anchoring is also not recommended in an area extending approx 2.7 miles WNW from the seaward end of the anchoring prohibited area.

Restrictions

All Zaanstad harbours have direct unrestricted connections with the North Sea Canal. Vessels up to LOA 325.0m, beam 42.0m and draught 13.1m are able to transit through the lock Noordersluisand and proceed to Amsterdam without special permission. Special permission is needed, however, for vessels up to beam 45.0m and draught 14.0m to transit the North Sea Canal.

Vessels with draughts exceeding 13.7m, are considered to be constrained by their draught (channel bound) and must show the appropriate lights and shapes. These vessels are obliged to use the Deep Water Route (IJ-Channel) in the approach to IJmuiden and the North Sea Canal.

Speed: Reducing speed is compulsory when passing the harbour entrance, moored craft or other objects that may be damaged by backwash. The same attention must be given to vessels, craft or any other floating objects, which are marked as follows: By day: Horizontal red/white flag; By night: One red above one white light with a distance of 0.60m to 0.90m. Vessels with a draught less than 4.5m are limited to a max peed of 9kts, vessels with draughts 4.5-8.0m are limited to a max speed of 7kts and vessels with a draught exceeding 8.0m are limited to a max speed of 6.5kts. Vessels under tow are limited to a max speed of 5kts.

Due to the narrow fairway, vessels are prohibited from meeting or overtaking within the IJ-Geul channel.

The MSP Lighted Buoy (52°34'N., 4°04'E.) marks an explosives dumping area and is situated approx 18m WNW of the Ijmuiden port entrance. A circular restricted area, with a radius of 3m, is located on this explosives dumping area. Underwater operations are prohibited within this area.

Submarine pipelines extend seaward from points on the shore at Ijuiden located approx 0.3m S of the S breakwater and 1.2m N of the N breakwater. Further submarine lines and cables are located throughout the canal. Tunnels are also found under the canal and may cause disruption to the magnetic compasses in the vicinity.

A noticeable current in the North Sea Canal may be experienced in the event that sluicing operations are taking place.

Tugs

Available from Amsterdam.

Charts and publications

BA 124, 2322. Admiralty Pilot NP55.

Communications

Amsterdam Harbour Office contact info

VHF: Ch 68.

Netherlands Coastguard

VHF: Ch 16.

Pilots contact info

VHF: Ch 7

Email: [email protected]

CTVrede Steinweg B.V. contact info

Telephone: +31 756 126 699

Email: [email protected]

Afvalzorg contact info

Telephone: +31 88 801 08 01

Email: [email protected]

Bruins Veem B.V. contact info

Telephone: +31 75 631 3778

Email: [email protected]

GVB contact info

Telephone: +31 0900 8011

Knez Figee B.V. contact info

Telephone: +31 75 6810410

Email: [email protected]

Koole contact info

Telephone: +31 75 681 28 12

Email: [email protected]

Overdie Metals B.V. contact info

Telephone: +31 75 6531150

Email: [email protected]

Pieter Bon Holding B.V. contact info

Telephone: +31 75 612 30 30

Email: [email protected]

Van der Kamp B.V. contact info

Telephone: +31 75 612 16 00

Email: [email protected]

Wed. K. Brouwer Scheepswerf B.V. contact info

Telephone: +31 75 635 40 69

Email: [email protected]

Amsterdam Yacht Service contact info

Telephone: +31 75 2048136

Email: [email protected]

Notice of readiness

NOR to be tendered as per Charter Party, throughout the day or night.

Documents

IMO Crew List, IMO FAL Form 5, other Custom papers have to be supplied by the agent.

Health

Ship Sanitation Control Exemption Certificate (SSCEC), Ship Sanitation Control and disinsectisation:

According to Article 53 of the International Health Regulations and Article 199-2 sub article of the General Police Regulations Amsterdam, whilst being moored at Amsterdam, adequate rat guards have to be fitted on all mooring lines and care must be taken that these rat guards are kept in place during the vessel's stay at Amsterdam. For sanitary inspection and issue of SSCEC for ships in port of Zaanstad and Amsterdam: Apply to Municipal Pest Control, 100 Nieuwe Achtergracht, Tel: +30 20 555 5600, after hours: Municipal Medic and Health Service, Tel: +30 20 555 5555.

Customs and immigration

For vessels bound for Zaanstad and Westzaan the clearance formalities will be carried out by the Custom house at Zaanstad (Mon-Fri) and from the Custom house at Kabel Weg 88, 1014 BC Amsterdam. Tel: +31 30 581 3614 at all other times.

Besides the statement of the cargo there must be a Stores List available, in triplicate. This list must be an exact statement of all provisions, their quantity and packing.

In addition to the Stores List, the ship's papers and the shipping documents and the Certificate of Registry are needed for clearance; it is recommended that these papers should be in a convenient place before arrival. The quantity of provisions allowed for use in port is based on standards set by Customs and is arrived at by multiplying the daily allowance with the number of days the vessel is expected to stay in port.

If the stay in port requires more time than expected or more than one week, a new allotment will be allowed for the remaining days on application to the customs.

Lists in duplicate are needed for curiosities, textile, tobacco, cigarettes, other provisions, etc, belonging to those onboard. Separate lists are required for these articles to be brought ashore after taxes have been paid. The goods that are not cleared should be put into one room (to spare vessel's time it is recommended to do so before entering the harbour) which is to be sealed up by the Customs.

Masters should be particularly careful that the seals affixed by the Customs are not damaged. If renewal or removal is required, apply to Customs.

The Immigration Officer normally comes onboard the ship as soon as possible after arrival. The Crew List (2 copies) and a list of all persons onboard (Dutch and foreign) who are not listed as crewmembers should be handed to him.

If the checking does not take place onboard, the above mentioned documents must be delivered within 12 hours after arrival at the local crossing point. The head of the crossing point should always be notified, without delay, of the presence of stowaways.

Notices and regulations

Vessels requiring special permission to transit the North Sea Canal must apply in writing 7 days in advance.

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

Available in locations throughout Zaanstad and provided by Wed. K. Brouwer Scheepswerf B.V., Huisfit by Royal Huisman and Amsterdam Yacht Service.

Wed. K. Brouwer Scheepswerf B.V. operates Brouwer shipyards with three branches located in the Zaanstad harbour; Zomerdijk (52° 25.474'N., 4° 50.713'E), Kruisbacken (52° 25.259'N., 4° 51.164'E) and Sluispolderweg (52° 25.180'N., 4° 50.731'E).

Kruisbacken includes three ramps, screw repair, ironwork shed, shipbuilding, heated/unheated storage and mooring locations.

Sluispolderweg includes heated halls for storage, preparation hall with spray shed, 70t travel lift, enclosed outdoor storage and small marina.

Zomerdijk provides quick emergency repairs, screw changes and all common repairs.

Huisfit by Royal Huisman provides extensive services to yachts including: Green Solutions, Rebuild Solutions, Extended Survey Solutions, Conversion Solutions, Hull and Superstructure, Technical Instillation, Interior, Deck Outfitting, Spars and Rigging.

Amsterdam Yacht Services operates and provides shipbuilding, repairing and refitting to yachts. The shipyard houses a 40t and a 480t Ascom travel lift width 12.5m, draught 5.5m), 5t Manitou telecrane (reach 20m), 50t telecrane, 2,000m² open area and a 750m² heated hall. An extensive workshop provides: welding, metal fabrication, main engineering facility, machine shop, outboard service and inboard service.

Medical

Nearest hospital: Acibadem International Medical Centre (3.7km), Zaans Medical Centre (3.95km), OLVG (West) (5.35km) and OLVG (Spuistraat) (6.3km).

Transport

Nearest airport: Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (13.1km).

Nearest railway: Zaandam (2.8km).

Nearest highway: The port has access to numerous major routes including: A5, A7, A8 and A10.

Nearest public transport: Bus routes throughout Zaandam.

Working hours

CTVrede Steinweg (Hoogtij Zandaam) Container Terminal: Mon-Fri 0500-2100hrs and weekends on request.

Koole Mon-Fri 0800-1630hrs, public holiday are closed

Pieter Bon Holding B.V. Mon-Fri 0800-1700hrs (Office), Mon-Fri 0600-1630hrs (Tank Storage), Mon-Fri 0730-1530hrs (Warehousing), Mon-Sun throughout 24hrs (Refinery).

Overdie Metals B.V. Mon-Fri 0700-1630hrs.

Bruins Veem B.V. Mon-Thur 0800-1630hrs, Fri 0800-1530hrs, Sat on request and Sun closed.

Where it is

The port of Zaanstad is situated on the Zaan River, connected directly with the North Sea Canal, 7km N of Amsterdam, Netherlands.

The port

The majority of Zaanstad is made up of three harbour basins handling a range of cargoes including containers, cocoa beans, waste, scrap metal, project, concrete, vegetable oils, bio-fuels and waxes. Additional facilities located within the port include ship repairs, ship building, lay-by berthage and the F20 fast ferry service across the North Sea Canal to Amsterdam.

Traffic

Approx 200,000t of cargo and 467,000 passengers handled annually.

What time zone is Zaanstad in?

Local time at Zaanstad 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 Zaanstad?

The deepest berth listed is at Chane Terminal Zaandam: 7.30 m maximum draught. The "Max draft per terminal" table gives each terminal's figure.

What is the water density at Zaanstad?

1015.

Which load line zone is Zaanstad 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 Zaanstad?

Port State Control at Zaanstad: Paris MOU.

What is the UN/LOCODE of Zaanstad?

The UN/LOCODE of Zaanstad is NLZAA.

What crews who called at Zaanstad 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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