On June 10, the new world’s largest lock was opened for business at the Port of Antwerp by King Filip, minister Ben Weyts, the chairman of the European Investment Bank Werner Hoyer and alderman Marc Van Peel of Antwerp, in charge of port affairs.
The Grande Lagos of shipping company Grimaldi was granted the honour of entering the brand-new Kieldrecht Lock as the very first ship.
The Kieldrecht Lock now enables a second, bigger, more upstream access to the docks on the left bank of the Scheldt river. In future, the ships can expect faster and smoother access to the harbour.
Highlights of World’s biggest lock:
- This biggest lock in the world has a price tag of €382 million.
- Ensures smooth access to the Waasland harbour and increases the the competitiveness of the Port of Antwerp.
- Lock length is 500 m, width is 68 m and operational depth (TAW) of some 17.80 m.
- It can accommodate the largest seagoing vessels through them.
- The port of Antwerp as a main port is an important junction in the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T).
Dr Werner Hoyer, President of the EIB declared: “The Kieldrecht lock symbolises some of the goals of a Union seeking more growth, competitiveness and jobs.”
Antwerp alderman Marc Van Peel, in charge of port affairs, and also chairman of the Port Authority, is also satisfied. “The Kieldrecht Lock forms a necessary key to the further development of the port on the left bank of the Scheldt River.”
“However, Antwerp also needs space to grow, which explains the first phase of the construction of the Saeftinghedok – a new tidal dock on the left bank of the Scheldt river – the next infrastructural project that is high on the agenda ”, according to Van Peel.
Source: Port of Antwerp
