Pilots know the sea and the Scheldt through and through and ensure safe and smooth sailing. They board and advise the captain on navigating and manoeuvring the ship. The Pilotage of the Agency for Maritime Services and Coast is responsible for piloting and providing nautical services to ships at sea and on the Scheldt. Behind the locks in Antwerp you can call on a Brabo dock pilot.
The pilots of the Agency for Maritime Services and Coast (MDK in Dutch) bring the largest ships safely to and from the port. They are active in Bruges as well as in Antwerp, on the North Sea and on the Scheldt. The pilot comes on board via a fast boat or a helicopter.
The Pilotage also provides advice on the handling of difficult and high-risk transport.
Once you pass the lock in Antwerp, you can call on the Brabo dock pilots. These pilots have an excellent knowledge of the port regulations and the port infrastructure. They know the depth of the water, the channels and the moorings of pipelines.
Every year, they are responsible for safely guiding around 25,000 incoming and outgoing ships.
