Ghent
Ghent's location in the centre of the industrialized part of northwest Europe, is undoubtedly one of its major advantages. Its smooth connections to the whole European hinterland have made it into one of Belgium's major commercial and industrial centres.
The port of Ghent is linked with the river Scheldt and the international maritime trade routes of the North Sea by way of a manmade seacanal Ghent-Terneuzen, not affected by tides or currents and permanently accessible for vessels up to 80.000 ton dwt ( Panamax - type ).
Vesselsize is limited by the restrictions of the Westlock at Terneuzen, being actually 265m max length / 34m max width / 12.50m max fresh water draft.
Seagoing vessels bound for the Port of Ghent take the seapilot on board at the A-1 buoy off Ostend when coming from the west, or at the Middel-Steenbank buoy ( MSB ) off Walcheren, when coming from the north.
The seapilot takes the vessel to Flushing roads ( +/- 2 hours ) at the mouth of the river Scheldt ( +/- 1 hour ), the Terneuzen lock ( +/- 1 hour ) and the canal Ghent - Terneuzen, up to its final berth in the port ( +/- 2 hours ).
It takes about six hours navigation time from the North Sea pilotstation till berthed alongside, at a considerable distance inland.