Vlissingen Rede -> Terneuzen -> Gent Outer Harbour Terneuzen
Presently there are following restrictions for entering the harbour …
Vessels with draught less than 9,10 m : -> unrestricted
Vessels with draught between 9,10 m and 11,49 m : -> only during their tidal window
Vessels with draught of 11,50 m or more : -> only during their tidal window -> only during periods of still water or weak currents Outer Harbour Terneuzen
Reasons for these restrictions …
-> During every tide there are periods with very strong currents.
-> The width of the entrance / Distance between the breakwaters
- 280 m at LAT = NAP – 2,69 m - 200 m at LAT – 11,31 m = NAP – 14,00 m
CURRENT
Outer Harbour Terneuzen
The project of the ‘New Lock Terneuzen’ also includes the modification of the Outer Harbour Terneuzen by making the entrance abt. 70 m wider to allow all vessels up till the maximum draught of 12,50 m to pass the breakwaters all ‘around the tide’
West Lock Terneuzen
Dimensions of the West Lock :
-> length : 290 m between inner doors 355 m between outer doors
-> width : 40 m from side to side 38 m between fenders
-> depth: outside : NAP – 12,82 m - LAT – 10,13 m inside : NAP – 11,37 m - KP – 13,50 m
West Lock Terneuzen
Maximum dimensions of vessels :
-> length : 265 m
-> beam : 34 m with max. length of 265 m or 37 m with max. lenght of 230 m
-> draught : 12,50 m
West Lock Terneuzen
Vessels with a beam of more than 34 m require :
-> 2 pilots -> a certified wheelman / quartermaster -> the use of minimum 4 tugboats -> the use of Qastor
The “Canel” Ghent - Terneuzen
General • Build started in 1823 and opened in 1829 • Present form since 1963 • Both Belgium and Dutch • Dimensions Belgium Netherland Length 7,5 7,5 Depth 13,5 13,5 Width 200/150/125 – 68/50 150 – 62 • Berths The lock on the inside • Exchange from seawater with fresh water in the lock • Surface current is against • Seawater is collected and pumped to the river • Leaving vs entering lock • Interaction Challenges and not only for pilots
• Bancking and Suction • Closed and open channel • Interaction between ships • Crossing and overtaking • Meeting points are limited for large vessels • Passing bridges
Challenges and not only for pilots
• Technical malfunctions (Vessel, Other vessels and bridges) • Speed limits pending on draft • Squat • Damage to others • Path width with strong winds • Weather conditions
Changes in the last ten years
• Qastor, SNMS • Bigger ships (wider) entering the lock • GTI, no more ratrace to the lock and waiting for several hours • Building a new lock • Priority ships
Channel pilot’s from Belgium and Netherlands alway’s are equily involved in all of these changes