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Port of Melsen

BEELS🇧🇪Belgium

Port Location

About Port of Melsen

Also known as: Kanaal der Visserij, Visserijvaart, Vissery

Melsen is a canal port in East Flanders, Belgium. It is a medium-sized, fully sheltered harbor. Pilotage is compulsory, and tugs are available.

Background
Melsen is a village in the province of East Flanders, Belgium, and is a part of the municipality of Merelbeke. It covers an area of roughly 3 square kilometers. Its terrain is largely made up of one great hill. The northern and southern slopes of the hill, which are fairly steep for the surrounding area, form the natural boundaries with the bordering villages of Vurste and Schelderode. The eastern slopes of the hill evolve into agricultural land and farther east into the forest of Makkegem. The western slope descends into a marsh that is connected to the Schelde (Scheldt) river.

Current Conditions

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Vessel Limits

Channel Depth
11ft
Elevation
10m

Operations & Services

Port of Entry
Yes
Pilotage Compulsory
Yes
Tug Assistance
Yes
Cranes
Fixed, Mobile
Drydock
Medium
Repair Code
B

References & Identifiers

WPI No.
31270 →
GeoNames ID
2784540 →
Wikidata
Q3146263 →
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →

Identification

UN/LOCODE
BEELS
Country
🇧🇪Belgium
Time Zone
UTC+1
Feature Type
CNL (Canal)

Classification

Type
Port
Harbor Type
Lake or canal
Shelter
Fair

Region

Subdivision
BE-VOV
Latitude
50.9667°
Longitude
3.7000°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I navigate the approach to the Port of Melsen?+
The approach to Melsen is supported by 5 navigation aids within 50 nautical miles. The nearest is Zeebrugge Outer Harbor Range Rear Lighthouse at 28.8 NM to the NW. Other aids include Zeebrugge Outer Harbor Range Front (28.9 NM NW), Zeebrugge Inner Harbor Range Rear (29.4 NM NW), Oostende Entrance Range Rear (30.4 NM NW), Oostende Entrance Range Front (33 NM WNW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart and List of Lights for full approach details.
What major shipping routes pass near the Port of Melsen?+
The Port of Melsen is located within the English Channel / North Sea corridor — one of the world's busiest maritime corridors connecting the Atlantic to Northern European ports. This strategic position influences vessel traffic density, anchorage availability, and port scheduling.
How do I track vessels arriving at or departing from the Port of Melsen?+
You can track vessels near Melsen (BEELS) in real time using MarineRadar. The platform displays live AIS positions of nearby ships, including vessel name, type, flag, speed, and course. Use the "Track Vessels Nearby" button on this page or search for BEELS on the live map.
What are the operating hours and time zone for the Port of Melsen?+
The Port of Melsen operates in the UTC+1 time zone. Operating hours, VTS schedules, and pilot availability vary — vessel agents should confirm with the port authority in advance, especially for night arrivals or weekend operations.