Shipping Assistance Division
Our main task is to ensure safe and efficient shipping to and from the ports in Flanders and Zeeland. We do this by monitoring and directing shipping traffic visually, auditively and electronically.
Important information for Zelzate Bridge
There are no bridge openings for vessel movements:
during the working week from 07:40 until 08:00 and from 16:40 until 17:00;
in case of visibility less than 250m;
in case of strong winds, 9 Bft or more, direction South, South-West of West.
What do we do?
Vessel Traffic Services
This section allows the safe and smooth navigation on the maritime access to the seaports. This is done by the organization and provision of Vessel Traffic Services (VTS).
Joint Nautical Management
Joint Nautical Management cooperates with the harbour authorities of Antwerp, Ghent, Zeebrugge and Ostend, the Dutch Zeeland Seaports, VTS centres, Piloting Services and Tug Services to allow smooth and safe shipping from the sea to the quay in the port and back.
Emergencies at sea
The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) in Ostend is the first point of contact for incidents at sea, eg: persons and vessels in distress, accidents and oil pollution.
Technical Affairs
Infrastructure managed by the Shipping Asstistance Division includes a multitude of buildings and technical equipment to support the VTS (VTS, Vessel Traffic Services) at sea and the run-up areas of the Scheldt, or port areas.
Trainings
The division has a separate cell for training. We offer a varied and customized set of courses and refreshments for all traffic controllers.
There’s a training set for the VTS, with the VTS simulator in Kallo as an important tool. For the the MRCC, all (Nautical) Traffic Controllers got the SARIS-training, this is a program where search areas are outlined, so the search pattern for persons in distress is easier.
Read more about VTS and the simulator in Kallo
Strong assistance from the shore via Vessel Traffic Services or in case of emergency via the Maritime Rescue and Coordination Centre at sea, that too is safe and smooth shipping. In addition, we are responsible for the management and operation of the Scheldt shipping lanes. Together with our colleagues from Rijkswaterstaat, we realise the Common Nautical Management
- Nadia Bos - Head of the Shipping Assistance Division
Where to find us?
Shipping Assistance Division
Administrative Chair
Maritiem Plein 3
8400 Oostende
N 51 14.069
E 2 55.745
Maritiem Plein 3
8400 Oostende
N 51 15.069
E 2 55.745
Maritime traffic management:
T: +32 (0)59 255 490
F: +32 (0)59 342 405
Emergency numbers:
059 70 10 00
059 70 11 00
Potpolderweg
Zandvlietsluis
Dienstgebouw blok A
5th floor
2040 Zandvliet
N 51 20.828
E 4 17.147
Operational work floor:
T: +32 (0)3 20 28 200
F: +32 (0)3 20 28 248
Westelijke Havendam
8380 Zeebrugge
N 51 21.857
E 3 11.183
Operational work floor:
T: +32(0)59 342 800
F: +32 (0)59 342 899
Commandoweg 50
NL – 4381 BH Vlissingen
N 51 26.589
E 3 35.361
Cell Nautical Management
(continuous service):
T: +31 88 79 80 759
F: +31 88 79 80 735
Beneluxlaan 01
9060 Zelzate
N 51 12.674
E 3 48.019
Operational work floor:
T: +32 (0)9 24 48 160
F: +32 (0)9 358 51 68
Steenlandlaan
Sluisgebouw
9130 Kallo
harbour number 1100
N 51 15.480
E 4 16.399
Head instructor:
T: +32 (0)3 20 28 255
F: +32 (0)3 20 28 256