Inland shipping on course

Inland shipping and paperwork? We don’t ride that wave. Instead you register your journey with North Sea Port electronically. Fill it in once, and you're good to go – from arrival to departure. 

This has been mandatory in Flanders for some time and in the Netherlands since 2024. It is no longer possible to register via marine radio. Phew! No more double work, no more repetition en route. All data is automatically shared with the waterway authorities on your route. 

Register easily via RiverGuide or BICS.

Pick what works for you. All these platforms are fine:

• RiverGuide
• BICS (Binnenvaart Informatie en Communicatie Systeem)
• ContainerPlanner (Autena Software)
• Navigis (Tresco)
• Periskal Inland ECDIS Viewer
• UAB-Online
• Vemasys (Blue Century) 

Skip digital reporting? Here’s the catch. When you enter and tie up, we need your data. In an incident, that’s what we pass to emergency crews: cargo, crew, what’s on board. No data means slower response, more risk. 

Your info also powers our invoices. Miss it and chances are you’ll get the wrong bill, and both you and we waste time fixing it. 

Don’t file? We’ll chase you for the details. Keep dodging it and stricter steps may follow. We don’t love doing that. Better to log it once and sail on.

You can create your digital report while you’re moored and send it once you’re back online. 

For traffic info, VHF is always there: channels 05, 06, 09 and 11. Use these in tricky situations or to get port updates. 

We only ask that your trip details are shared in advance through BICS (or another tool).

No. At North Sea Port we stick to the same tools used by other ports and waterway managers. We don’t run a separate system – you just pick the one that works best for you (see “Which system can I use to register?”). 

The sector is very clear: everybody wants things simpler. That’s why more and more authorities connect to BICS or shared platforms like RiverGuide and Eriba.

No. Once per voyage is enough. Just log your details digitally and send an update if something changes, like crew joining or leaving. 

We use BICS, connected to both Dutch and Flemish systems. One check-in covers your whole route. 

If you cross the border, you’ll still need to send a repeat report. But you don’t start from scratch – just add the extra recipient. This step will disappear soon.

Yes. Sailing from outside Terneuzen to Evergem? A report in IVS Next is all you need. Coming up from the south (e.g. Evergem)? Report to De Vlaamse Waterweg. 

Stopping at a waiting area? The system logs it automatically as “waiting”. Continue your trip and it knows you’re just passing through. 

If you stop at a quay known for loading or unloading, the system may treat it as if you’re staying there for cargo operations.

For berth requests, please contact us via the correct VHF channel. 

• Canal ports NL/BE – VHF channel 5 – Call sign: North Sea Port
• Ghent–Terneuzen Canal (RWS) – VHF channel 11 – Call sign: Port Authority
• Terneuzen, Vlissingen-Oost & Outer Harbour – VHF channel 9 – Call sign: Havendienst
• Vlissingen Braakmanhaven – VHF channel 78 – Call sign: Braakmanhaven

The interactive map shows all berths within North Sea Port. Click on a location for details such as berth type, managing authority (North Sea Port or Rijkswaterstaat), maximum draught or function.

Mooring at waiting areas is only permitted with the port authority’s approval.

• Vlissingen: VHF 9, call sign ‘Havendienst Vlissingen’
• Ghent & Terneuzen: VHF 5, call sign ‘North Sea Port’
• Braakmanhaven: VHF 78, call sign ‘Braakmanhaven’ 

Some berths along the Ghent–Terneuzen Canal are managed by Rijkswaterstaat. These locations appear on the map but are not allocated by us. They include:

• Goesekade
• Waiting posts at the Terneuzen lock complex
• Waiting areas on the west and east sides of the Schependijk
• Canal posts Terneuzen
• Cone posts (opposite Massagoedhaven)
• Canal posts Sluiskil (north of Norden Shipyard)
• West quay, Side Canal D (Westkade, Zijkanaal C), Sluiskil
• Mooring places, Side Canal G (Zijkanaal G)
• West quay, Side Canal H (Westkade, Zijkanaal H), Sas van Gent
• Mooring place, Sas van Gent Rosier
• Mooring place, Sas van Gent Rosier Zwavelkade
• Mooring place, Canal quay 4 (Kanaalkade 4), Sas van Gent
• Mooring place, Sas van Gent Glasfabriek
• Mooring place, Canal quay 5 (Kanaalkade 5) “Douanekade”, Sas van Gent 

→ Open interactive map

Ghent Use the ‘my location’ button to zoom in quickly. No rights can be derived from the map.

Want your stay to run smoothly? Connect4Shore  shows you exactly where to plug in, top up water or drop off waste. Easy! Our shore power is 100% green. That’s good for your fuel bill and the planet. Water or waste? Sorted in a few clicks via Connect4Shore. Check out more info and provider contacts on our Services & partners page.