Brussels (BEBRU)

The port handles construction materials, steel, cereals, petroleum products and containers.

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

A canal with length 31km, connects the port with the Scheldt River.

LOA 135m, beam 17.5m, draught 5.8m, 8,752 DWT.

Approx 5,000,000t of cargo, 30,000TEU and 12,000 passengers handled annually.

Anchorage is located in the Antwerp Roads, on the River Scheldt. Use of anchors is strictly regulated on the canal and only permitted in certain areas in emergency.

From Antwerp (51°14'N 004°25'E) the route to Brussels follows the River Schelde for 6nm above the New River Quays to the mouth of River Rupel. The Brussels Maritime Canal is entered through Wintamsluis, the lock close W of the river mouth. From Wintamsluis the canal runs for 18nm to Brussels. Vessels can turn in the turning basin before arrival or after sailing according to circumstances and/or agents requirements. The max width of the turning basin is 140m.

BA 139. Belgium river charts. Admiralty Pilot NP28, NP286(2).

1000.

Pilotage is compulsory, if local knowledge is not available. Pilots are requested through Pilotage Office Antwerp who arrange a pilot for the Upper Scheldt, then a canal pilot takes over in Wintamsluis for the passage to Brussels.

The port limits are at Vilvorde on the maritime canal, approx 7km N of Brussels.

There are two locks on the Brussels Maritime Canal. Wintamsluis (51°07.3'N 004° 18.3'E), the entry lock is 250m long and 25m wide, and can accommodate vessels up to 10,000DWT. Zemst Lock which is 8nm above Wintamsluis, near Kapelle-op-de-Bosche, is 275m in length and has a width of 25m. Vessels up to 102m in length, beam 14.6m and draught 5.8m can use the locks and reach Avant-port. Several lifting road bridges and swing or lifting rail bridges cross the canal between Wintamsluis and the fixed bridge between Avant-port and the inner basins at Brussels. The vertical clearance when the lifting bridges are raised is 31m. The rail bridges are only opened when rail traffic permits and waiting at these bridges must be expected. Passage beyond Avant-port to Vergote and Beco Docks is only possible for vessels with an airdraught less than 5.5m and 4.2m respectively.

HW: 5.29m LW: 0.53m

Within the canal sea going vessels have priority over barges, and N bound seagoing traffic has priority over S bound seagoing traffic. Traffic Signals: A red light exhibited from Wintamsluis and all bridges indicates that vessels are to wait, a red and green light is the standby signal and a green light indicates that vessels are to proceed. At Zemst Lock the signals are exhibited in the form of a triangle at the sea going lock and a circle at the barge lock. The top light indicates the state of the lock, red closed and green open. The lower light indicates the side of the lock on which the vessel should secure, for example, lower light green, secure starboard side in lock.

There are tugs available. Tugs must accompany vessels with a draught greater than 5.8m, other vessels if required. The tugs do not tow vessels but hold them in mid channel when waiting for bridges or locks to open. The tugs normally join at Wintamsluis. Vessels lines must be used.

Prevailing winds: NW'ly.

Scheveningen and Ostend Radio stations operate throughout 24 hours. Satellite communications are possible. VHF: The Wintam and Zemst Locks and the Brussels Harbour Office, monitor Ch 68 and the bridges and tugs monitor Ch 20.

Brussels is not a port of entry, therefore all formalities are handled at anchor in Antwerp Roads, this is expected to change in the near future.

..... Document Copies 1. Crew List 2 2. Passenger List 2 3. Stores List 4 4. Customs Declaration 2 5. Health Declaration 1 6. Cargo Manifest 1

Should be advised by agent 3 days prior to arrival. Subsequent messages should then be sent 6 hours and 2 hours prior to arrival at 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, width).

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)”. The "Rules and Regulations for the Sea Canal and Port of Brussels", can be obtained at Wintam Lock and from the harbour master.

Free pratique is granted on arrival. Ship Sanitation Control and Exemption Certificates can be renewed via agents through Antwerp.

The NOR is tendered as per agents requirements.

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