Pilot districts

The Amsterdam-Noordzeekanaal area has a length of 32 kilometres, from the entrance to the port of IJmuiden up to the entrance to the Amsterdam-Rijnkanaal. The harbour of IJmuiden is in the vicinity of the entrance. The harbour of steel manufacturer Corus and the transit/berth ‘IJ-palen’ are accessible for vessels with a maximum draft of 16,5 m. The locks (Noordzeesluizen) give access to the ports of Velsen, Beverwijk, Zaanstad and Amsterdam. Maximum dimensions of vessels navigating the Noordzeekanaal are 325 m length over all, 45 m width and 14 m draft in fresh water.

The port of Den Helder is accessible for vessels with a maximum draft of 9 m. The transport of pilots to incoming vessels in the western part of the Waddenzee up to the boundary of Vlierede- Harlingen-Kornwerderzand is also handled from Den Helder. Vessels with destination Scheveningen can take their pilot at pilot station IJmuiden.