Largest ships can reach Antwerp safely and smoothly

After an in-depth evaluation the Permanent Commission for Supervision of Scheldt Navigation has concluded that the world's largest container ships can reach Antwerp safely and smoothly. As a result the Commission has decided to permanently modify the rules for sailing up and down river. The navigation windows have been extended, and the maximum draught for certain types of ship has been increased.

 One of the most important changes to the new navigation regulations is the increase in the maximum permitted draught from 13 to 14 metres for ships longer than 340 metres. Ships shorter than this are even permitted to leave Antwerp with a draught of up to 14.8 metres, subject to certain conditions. Thanks to these measures the navigation windows for the largest container carriers in the world, such as the MSC Danit with its maximum capacity of 14,200 TEU and its LOA of 366 metres, have been made wider.

  The arrival of the MSC Beatrice on 7 April 2009 marked the start of a series of seven test visits by ships longer than 360 metres, held between April and June of that year. On 24 June the Commission decided to allow access to the port for ships with a length of 360 metres or more, making accessibility even more flexible. However, certain conditions were set. These concern the sailing schedule, the draught of the ships, simulator training for the pilots, and direct supervision by the vessel traffic control system. The use of tugs, visibility and wind conditions were also taken into account.

 Further nautical and technical evaluations were carried out on behalf of the Commission in September and November, with a series of test trips (upstream and downstream each time) from the end of June to the end of November. As the evaluation showed that all trips were successful and that safety was never compromised, the Permanent Commission decided on 9 December to continue the more flexible access policy and to relax some of the conditions.

With this development, Antwerp confirms its good access for shipping. As well as being located deep inland, the port offers fast, direct and environmentally- friendly access to the economic heart of Europe.