Port of Nieuwpoort

The controlling depth at Nieuwpoort is 5.03 meters. Draft restrictions should be confirmed with the port authority before arrival, as silting, dredging operations, and tidal conditions can affect available depths. Pilotage is typically required for larger vessels.

The approach to Nieuwpoort is supported by 5 navigation aids within 50 nautical miles. The nearest is Oostende Entrance Range Front Lighthouse at 8.8 NM to the NE. Other aids include Dunkerque Jetée Est (15.4 NM WSW), Zeebrugge Inner Harbor Range Rear (20.5 NM NE), Zeebrugge Outer Harbor Range Rear (20.9 NM NE), Zeebrugge Outer Harbor Range Front (21.3 NM NE). Mariners should consult the relevant chart and List of Lights for full approach details.

The Port of Nieuwpoort 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.

You can track vessels near Nieuwpoort (BENIE) in real time using MarineRadar. The platform displays live AIS positions of nearby ships, including vessel name, type, flag, speed, and course.

The Port of Nieuwpoort is a port in BE. Its UN/LOCODE is BENIE — the five-character code the UNECE assigns to trade and transport locations, and the identifier used on shipping documents and in port calls.

The first two characters, BE, are the ISO country code for BE. The remaining three identify the location within that country. The code is issued by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and is the international standard for naming ports in trade and transport systems.

The Port of Nieuwpoort 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.

NIEUWPOORT (UN/Locode: BENIE), Belgium is a seaport located at approximately 51.13911° N, 2.74808° E.

Coordinates: 51.13911° N, 2.74808° E. Nearby terminals/ports:OOSTENDE — UN/Locode: BEOST — 51.22745° N, 2.93339° EDUNKIRK EAST — UN/Locode: FRDKK — 51.04113° N, 2.31237° EBRUGGE — UN/Locode: BEBGS — 51.22984° N, 3.22447° E

Harbor type/size: Lake or Canal and Very Small. Cranes: mobile cranes and fixed cranes. Lifting: 50–100 MT lifts. Support: wharf loading/offloading. Depths: channel depth 1.8m - 3m; anchorage depth 6.4m - 7.6m; cargo pier depth 3.4m - 4.6m and maximum draft approx. 5.03 m.

Entrance/operational restrictions — tide: restrictions present; swell: no specific restriction; ice: none; overhead limits: none and other: may apply.

Communication & port formalities — telephone: available; radio (VHF): available; air services: available; rail: available; ETA message: required; quarantine pratique: available; deratting certificate: not available and first port of entry: available. Pilotage & towage — pilotage: compulsory; tug assistance: not available and tug salvage: not available.

Vessel types historically calling: Bulk Carrier, Bunkering, Container, Gas Carrier, General Cargo, Ro Ro, Special Craft, Tanker and Unspecified.