Passage through the Oosterweel works

Agreements on passage through work zone of the Oosterweel works during the winter period (1/12/2024 - 31/3/2025)

We made a number of agreements with the sector regarding the provision of an assistance vessel, about passage in high winds and/or in low visibility and about the presence of the bow thruster. Below, you will find an outline of the agreement.

1.	Assistance vessel For a smooth and safe passage through the Oosterweel work site area, you can call upon an assistance vessel. This is available on demand from 01/12/2024 to 31/03/2025, during periods when wind speeds with a wind force of 6 Beaufort or above are predicted, subject to availability. This assistance is free of charge and non-binding. It can be requested by telephone by calling VTS-POAB Passage Planning on +32 3 229 72 31.
2.	Wind To minimise drift, we recommend taking on additional ballast water, if necessary. At a wind force of 6 Beaufort or above, passage is prohibited for the following categories (unless you use the assistance vessel): container ships higher than 6.5 metres above the waterline and with a draught of less than 2 metres all other vessels longer than 135 metres that are at least 6.5 metres above the waterline and with a draught of less than 2 metres At a wind force of 8 Beaufort or higher, passage through the work zone is prohibited to all shipping traffic.
3.	Visibility If visibility is limited to less than 300 metres, passage through the work zone is prohibited to all shipping traffic.
4.	Bow thruster In accordance with Article 13.2 §3 of the Supplementary Regulations, a properly functioning bow thruster at the forward point of the vessel, which is operable from the bridge, is mandatory for all vessels of 135 metres or more when passing through the Oosterweel work zone. In the case of a push-barge combination, the bow thruster should be located at the forward point of the push-barge combination.

Switch from VHF10 to VHF5 since 3/12/2024

Communication with shipping regarding passage planning has so far taken place on VHF channel 10. Since 3/12/2024 , communication switched from VHF channel 10 to VHF channel 5.

We made this switch following feedback from waterway users on the Albert Canal and the Scheldt. VHF10 is used as the navigation channel there. Our passage planners are in regular contact with shipping on VHF10 for convoy scheduling and to communicate with shipping in the passage at the Oosterweel works.

This communication causes interference with communications on the Albert Canal and the Scheldt and in some cases, our passage planners are inadvertently blocking out ship-to-ship conversations.
By switching to VHF channel 5 from now on, we will no longer be disrupting communications on the above waterways. Thanks to the good cooperation of our services (OP/FBI/DIN) with the BIPT, this VHF channel has been made available.

Contact

Joyce Caluwaerts

Key accountmanager

E-mail Joyce

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Agreements on passage through work zone of the Oosterweel works during the winter period (1/12/2024 - 31/3/2025)

Assistance vessel

Wind

Visibility

Bow thruster