Common Nautical Management
Chain approach
The Chain approach aims at smooth and safe shipping from the sea to the quay in the port and back. This means that the traffic organisation is seen as an undividable whole, a chain. This is known as the front door/backdoor principle: a ship may start its journey (front door) only on the condition that a berth will be available upon arrival (backdoor).
Anchorage manoeuvres or sailing at a very low speed will jeopardize safety. To avoid that, cooperation of all parties involved in the nautical chain is very important. That is why the Common Nautical Management cooperates with the harbour authorities of Antwerp, Ghent, Zeebrugge and Ostend, the Dutch Zeeland Seaports, , VTS centres, Piloting Services and Tug Services.
More information is available on the webpage: http://www.vts-scheldt.net.