Port of Schoten

BESCT🇧🇪Belgium

Port Location

Port Arrivals & Departures

Vessel Traffic

Port of Schoten BESCT

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About Port of Schoten

Schoten is a Belgian seaport situated inland from the Scheldt estuary. It handles general cargo and tanker vessels. Pilotage and tug assistance are compulsory.

Background
Schoten is a municipality located in Antwerp Province, Belgium. The municipality only comprises the town of Schoten proper. As of 1 January 2020 Schoten has a total population of 34,311. The total area is 29.55 km2 (11.41 sq mi) which gives a population density of 1,122/km2 (2,910/sq mi). Schoten borders the Antwerp districts Merksem to the west and Deurne to the south west. Neighboring municipalities include Brasschaat to the north, Brecht to the north east, Schilde to the east, and Wijnegem to the south.

Current Conditions

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Vessel Limits

Channel Depth
11ft
Tidal Range
4ft
Elevation
2m

Operations & Services

Port of Entry
Yes
Pilotage Compulsory
Yes
Tug Assistance
Yes
Cranes
Fixed, Mobile, Floating
Drydock
Large
Repair Code
A

References & Identifiers

WPI No.
31250 →
GeoNames ID
12196088 →
Wikidata
Q655203 →
Wikipedia
Read on Wikipedia →
Official Site
www.schoten.be →

Identification

UN/LOCODE
BESCT
Country
🇧🇪Belgium
Time Zone
UTC+1
Feature Type
PRT (Port)

Classification

Type
Port
Harbor Type
River tide gate
Shelter
Good

Region

Subdivision
BE-VAN
Latitude
51.2500°
Longitude
4.5000°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I navigate the approach to the Port of Schoten?

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The approach to Schoten is supported by 5 navigation aids within 50 nautical miles. The nearest is Brielle Lighthouse at 41.2 NM to the NNW. Other aids include Verklikker (41.2 NM NW), Zeebrugge Outer Harbor Range Front (48.5 NM W), Zeebrugge Outer Harbor Range Rear (48.8 NM W), Oostende Entrance Range Rear (49.3 NM W). Mariners should consult the relevant chart and List of Lights for full approach details.

What major shipping routes pass near the Port of Schoten?

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The Port of Schoten 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 Schoten?

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

Where is the Port of Schoten?

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

What does the UN/LOCODE BESCT mean?

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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.

What are the operating hours and time zone for the Port of Schoten?

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The Port of Schoten 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.

What is the Port of Schoten?

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SCHOTEN (UN/Locode: BESCT), Belgium is a seaport located at approximately 51.25000° N, 4.50000° E.

Where is the Port of Schoten located?

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Coordinates: 51.25000° N, 4.50000° E. Nearby terminals/ports:MERKSEM — UN/Locode: BEMRK — 51.24057° N, 4.44906° EDEURNE — UN/Locode: BEDEG — 51.22000° N, 4.47000° EMASSENHOVEN — UN/Locode: BEMHN — 51.20000° N, 4.61667° E

What are the operational restrictions at the Port of Schoten?

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

What are the communications and port formalities at the Port of Schoten?

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

What types of vessels historically call at the Port of Schoten?

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Vessel types historically calling: General Cargo and Tanker.