Information Notices have been issued by UK MCA and Gibraltar Maritime Administration to announce the information on operating VHF channels at Kieldrecht lock at the port of Antwerp and New lock at the port of Terneuzen alongside the Sheldt river (Nieuwe Sluis Terneuzen) based on the communication by the Governments of Belgium and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
A summary of those notices issued based on the communication by Government of Belgium and the Kingdom of the Netherlands is as follows.

1. The operation channel for the Kieldrecht lock at the port of Antwerp will be altered from VHF voice channel 88 to VHF voice channel 1027 (27L) as from 1 January 2024. Ships passing through Kieldrecht lock are strongly advised to update their VHF equipment before 1 January 2024.

2. The new lock at the port of Terneuzen alongside the Sheldt river (Nieuwe Sluis Terneuzen) is expected to be operational from 4Q of 2024 and VHF voice channel 1028 (28L) will be assigned to support its operation. Ships passing through Nieuwe Sluis Terneuzen are strongly advised to update their VHF equipment before 1 October 2024. Without the ability to use the VHF voice channel 1028 (28L), ships will not be allowed to enter to Nieuwe Sluis Terneuzen.

Information Notices issued by U.K MCA and Gibraltar Maritime Administration can be confirmed by the links below.

UK MIN 702(M+F) :
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/min-702-mf-vhf-channel-changes-in-antwerp-and-the-scheldt-estuary

Gibraltar Ship Information Notice – 111 :
https://www.gibraltarship.com/uploads/SIN%20111%20-%20VHF%20channel%20changes%20in%20Antwerp%20and%20the%20Scheldt%20estuary.pdf

If necessary, please confirm with the manufacturer about status of the availability of 4-digit channels operation of VHF radio equipment.

(To be continued)