Harbourmaster’s Office

Because the Port of Brussels is a seaport, it has a harbourmaster whose missions are multiple: port police, regulation and port traffic circulation, safety of the ships in the port, follow-up and lawful management of dangerous matters in the port, etc. The services of the port office are also the management of structures: two locks of Brussels and two lift bridges.

The Harbourmaster’s Office of the Port of Brussels is located in the outer port, by the side of the container terminal. It includes the administrative buildings of the Operational Service, the crisis centre of the port (in the event of the activation of the IEP - Internal Emergency Plan), as well as the means of control relating to the activities on the waterway and to the spreading of information to the users.
It also shelters the “sea-going vessels” reception services and ensures the management of the co-ordination canal with the other Regions.

The Port Office has three boats:
A patrol boat, used also for VIP visits.
A rapid intervention boat used not only for permanent controls of the whole of the infrastructures located on the canal, but sometimes also for rescue actions in collaboration with the proper regional authorities.
Lastly, a cleaning boat which regularly cleans the surface of the canal’s water in order to offer the best shipping conditions to all of the users of the waterway, whether for business or leisure.

Boats visiting the Port of Brussels must follow shipping and safety rules.