Vessels’ inward/outward clearance procedures

Rik Verhaegen

1. Geographical location

2. Swot: just the facts

3. Tides

4. Practice

5. Q&A

1.1 The Region

1.2 The River

1.2 The River Boei A1 Zandvlietsluis Westerschelde Scheur-Wielingen

0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 95 100 105 110 120 125 130 135

1.3 The Port

2. Swot Analysis: one major fact...

(*) See next slides...

Strenght Weakness (*)

Location:Inland Stevedoring

...

Location:● Challenge!● Draught restriction locks

Inbound: 155.6 dm Outbound: 145 dm

...

Opportunities Threat

... ...

Each location along the river Scheldt is subject to a different tidal range

3.1 Tides: tidal wave

The bottom of the Western Scheldt consists of shallow bars and deeps

3.2 Tides: ...& the riverbed

Further inland, wavehight and swell become less significant. Therefore, the percentage of UKC is reduced in the direction of Antwerp

3.3 Tides: Under Keel Clearance

✔ During a rising tide, the tidal wave rolls into the Western Scheldt.

✔ Adjusting the speed of the vessel in line with the wave's, provides for sufficient UKC

3.4 Tides: inbound navigation

✔ Await sufficient UKC to safely cross the first bar

✔ Navigate in order to cross the last bar with sufficient UKC

✔ These two respective times provide a tidal window

3.5 Tides: outbound navigation

The deeper the vessel's draught, the less time to transit

3.5 Tides: Tidal Window

3.6 Tides: Tackling the challenge

Remark: maximum draughts at average tide

Tide independent

Inbound LOA < 360 m

LOA > 360 m

Outbound LOA < 340 m

LOA > 340 m 145 dm

131 dm

152 dm 145 dm

145 dm

145 dm

100% inbound and outbound 100% inbound, 80% outbound

145 dm

BEHINDBEFORE

160 dm 155.6 dm

131 dm

LocksLocks

3.7 Tides: Tidal windows Jan 25, 2011

Inbound draught (dm)

21:01 6:42 9:58 19:19

1:42 5:07 14:22 17:41 1:29 3:27 14:02 16:00

Outbound draught (dm)

2:30 12:11 15:26 0:48

2:49 3:56

131

4:11

149 145

no tidal window

5:19

Deurganckdock Locks

Deurganckdock Locks

Deurganckdock Locks

Deurganckdock Locks

131

131131

155 155

no tidal window

Remarks: * All tidal windows are accessible via http://www.vts-scheldt.net/

* Spring tide January 23, 2011

h:min m LAT h:min m LAT

7:36 5.69 2:04 -0.06

20:04 5.64 14:43 -0.42

High water Low water

4.1 Practice: introduction

• In general, every vessel shall only sail up- or downriver after being granted permission by the Port Authority

• In case of the conditions described in the following slides, a special permission has to bee granted by the “Joint Nautical Administration” ('JNA'):

– Treaty Middelburg 21st of December 2005

– nautical co-operation between the Netherlands and Flanders started in 1839 (Separation Treaty).

– Flanders and the Netherlands co-operate in the Scheldt region to organize smooth and safe shipping traffic to and from Ports around the River Scheldt.

– Identical compulsory regulations for all sea-going vessels lead to clarity for the users of the waterways

4.2 Practice: Antwerp coordination centre

APA + Pilot services

Senior traffic controller + Chief pilot

All traffic to and from Antwerp Traffic on the river Number of pilots

Tidal window

Traffic controller

Traffic trough that lock

Position of ships in the lock

Barges

4.2 Practice: Antwerp coordination centre Vessel Traffic Service

Loodskotter Noord

Loodskotter West Kreekraksluizen

Oostende

Vlissingen

Terneuzen

Hansweert

Gent

Zandvlietsluis en

Berendrechtsluis

SRK

ACC

Bath

Kallosluis

Royerssluis

Boudewijnsluis en

Van Cauwelaertsluis

4.2 Practice: Pilot services

Oostende

Vlissingen

Terneuzen

Gent

Zeebrugge 1

Ships arrival is notified to APA by agent. Sea pilot mandatory loa >80m Boards by sea Flemish state or Dutch private company. Pilot exemption possible.

4.2 Practice: Pilot services

Oostende

Vlissingen

Terneuzen

Gent

Zeebrugge

2

Flushing roads: sea pilot is replaced by river pilot. Mandatory loa >80m Boards by sea Flemish state or Dutch private company Pilot exemption possible.

4.2 Practice: Pilot services

Oostende

Vlissingen

Terneuzen

Gent

Zeebrugge 3

ACC (APA)

Decision of Senior traffic controller.

River pilot docks in the lock or at outer berths (container terminal)

4.2 Practice: conditions requiring JNA approval

• Sailing up or down with LOA > 300 m and/or draught > 120 dm

exception: Left Bank (Kallo Lock) -> draught > 100 dm

• Distinction between bulk (dry, liquid) and containervessels

• For the latter, 3 classes are defined:

– Between LOA 300 m and 340 m

– Between LOA 340 m and 360 m

– > 360 m and/or breadth > 51 m:

➢ 2000 m visibility on the river – 1000 m visibility at sea

➢ no permission shall be granted if windstrength > 7Bft. at Sea or > 5 Bft. at the Locks

4.2.1 General

• Inbound

– Locks

– Maximum draught: 155.6 dm

– Minimum 60 min tidal window

• Outbound

– Locks

– Maximum draught: 140 dm

– Minimum 60 min tidal window

Remark: if LOA > 300 m: per 4 m >LOA 300m => max. Draught -1 m

4.2 Practice: conditions requiring JNA approval

4.2.2 Bulk

• LOA 300 m – 340 m

– Locks

– Inbound: 155.6 dm, tidal window > 60 min

– Outbound: max. draught 145 dm

● LOA 340 m – 360 m

– Locks

– Inbound: 155.6 dm, tidal window > 60 min

– Outbound: max. draught 145 dm

● LOA > 360 m and/or BOA > 51 m => Ad Hoc advice:

●Ship's file shall be sent to JNA at least 8 weeks prior to the first call

●JNA will provide advice on conditions & terms

4.2.3 Containervessels

4.2 Practice: conditions requiring JNA approval

Remark: Outbound from locks minimum 1 m UKC

4.2 Practice: Case Study Inbound MSC Savona

• Dimensions & capacity

LOA: 365.82m

BOA: 51.20m

14,000 TEU

• Calling at Antwerp on

May 14, 2011 with a

record draught of

15.5m...behind the locks

• ( Slide 14: 16.0m before

the locks )

-15.2m

TAW

Dock River

-12.9m

LAT

-12.5m

TAW

-14.5m

LAT

TAW

LAT

-13,58m

TAW

LAT

Lock

TAW TAW

Tide

Docklevel

+4.2m TAW

Docklevel

+4.2m TAW

17.78m 16.70m

...first something about chart datums!

4.2 Practice: Case Study Inbound MSC Savona

LAT

-11.8m

LAT

Chart datum + Tide m

• -12.5m TAW depth

behind locks

• Local fairway

dredging

4.2 Practice: Case Study Inbound MSC Savona

Dock River

17.78m

19.18m

1 m UKC: Min

requirement

Lock

Entry: May 14, 2011 14:27

15.5m

15.5m 15.5m

16.70m

4.2 Practice: Case Study Inbound MSC Savona

♠

3.68m

UKC

2.28m

UKC

1.20m

UKC

4.2 Practice: Case Study Outbound MSC Danit

• Dimensions & capacity:

LOA: 365.50m

BOA: 51.20m

14,000 TEU

• Sailed from Antwerp's right bank

docks on April 12, 2011 with a record

draught of 14.5m

• ( Slide 13: 15.2 m before the locks )

• Why restricted outbound draught: see

slides 8 and 12...

Dock River

17.78m

17.35m

Lock

Exit: April 4, 2011 20:25

14.5m 14.5m 14.5m

16.70m

4.2 Practice: Case Study Outbound MSC Danit

♠

1 m UKC: Min

requirement 2.85m

UKC

3.28m

UKC

2.20m

UKC

Thank your for your attention!

Questions?

Annex: Berendrechtlock 500m x 68m

1 m bottom clearance

Bottom

= -12.9 LAT

LAT = 0

LW Scheldt

HW

Scheldt

Dockwaterlevel

= + 3.49 m

sill

– Length width Depth LAT Correction

Zandvliet: 500 m 57 m - 13.58 m* - 0.69 m

Berendrecht 500 68 - 13.58 * - 0.69 m

Boudewijn 360 45 - 10.33 * - 0.72 m

Van Cauwelaert 270 35 - 9.83 * - 0.72 m

Royers 180 22 - 6.33 * - 0.77 m

Kallo 360 50 - 12.50 ** - 0.72 m

Annex: Locks

* + 4.20m (Right Bank)

**+ 3.50m (Left Bank)

values based on local reference plane TAW