On 1 November 2009, the Convention on the Collection, Deposit and Reception of Waste Generated During Navigation on the Rhine and other Inland Waterways (also known as the CDNI) entered into force. The purpose of this Convention is to make all the parties involved, i.e. not just the skipper or crew, but also the shipper and recipient of the cargo, more aware of matters relating to the pollution of surface water, limiting the amounts of shipping waste and encouraging recycling.
Waste disposal options Vlissingen and Terneuzen
At North Sea Port there are various containers in the Vlissingen and Terneuzen areas where skippers can dispose of their waste. A waste collector goes round to empty them.
Disposal of oil and waste containing oil is done via Martens Cleaning.
Waste disposal options in Flanders
Waste disposal options in Gent
In the port there are various options to dispose of waste generated by inland shipping.
Inland shipping crews can hand in shipping waste containing oil and grease free of charge at the Martens 8 bilges ship. The inland vessels do, however, need to have a bilge log and meet the following conditions regarding quantities:
- a minimum of 1000 to a maximum of 6000 litres of bilge water
- a maximum of 5 jerrycans of 20 kg, totalling a maximum of 100 kg oil and propeller shaft grease
- 5 bags of 20 kg, totalling a maximum of 100 kg cleaning rags
- a maximum of 100 kg used filters.
Waste can be handed in every working day (excluding public holidays) between 7.30 am and 4.30 pm.
Waste can only be handed in by appointment, which can be easily made using the application form that can be found at Inland Shipping Services under waste collection for inland vessels. After receiving this registration, Martens Cleaning will contact the vessel to confirm the requested collection.
Household non-hazardous shipping waste (food leftovers, waste from living quarters and empty food packaging – PMD, glass, paper) can be handed in at North Sea Port (Gent) within the port area; this applies exclusively to stays for which port dues are payable.
The waste must be presented in bags of no more than 80 litres or in special packaging (glass and paper) and placed on the quay by the ship’s crew. A maximum of 5 bags of 80 litres is considered to be a regular quantity for non-passenger vessels.
Register your waste by sending an e-mail to North Sea Port using the contact form. In your e-mail, state how much waste you are leaving behind, where and when. North Sea Port will then arrange for its disposal.
Passenger vessels can hand over their waste to private compagnies or to North Sea Port. Passenger vessels must pay a fee for this at North Sea Port. A fee will also be charged for household non-hazardous waste contaminated by other waste. See for this the Tariff Regulations (Gent).
Waste disposal without registration is considered to be illegal dumping. Abnormal quantities of any kind of waste can be refused. North Sea Port can halt or refuse the disposal of waste at any time, provided that there are valid reasons to do so.
Disposal of cargo waste, cleaning water, goods that require returning, like household appliances, car tyres, batteries and other commercial shipping waste is possible at private companies. The costs for this must be paid directly to these companies. At the bottom of this page you will find an overview of these private companies.
Reporting breaches of the Convention
An inland vessel in the port area of Gent can report conflicts and ask for mediation from the port’s harbour master’s office on VHF 11 or on telephone number +32 (0)9 251 04 57.
If the recipient of goods from an inland vessel does not sign the unloading certificates, this can be reported to the Antwerp Port Authority in Flanders (ccr@haven.antwerpen.be or +32 (0)3 205 20 13). The complaint will be registered and serves as proof of the report for inspections by the Maritime Police or Rijkswaterstaat.