Port of Antwerp starts next stage in construction of world's largest lock
Mid-November 2012 saw Hilde Crevits, the Flemish Minister of Transport & Public Works, officially launch the next stage of the Deuganckdocklock project at the Port of Antwerp in Belgium.
The Deurganckdocklock will be the second lock between Waasland, the port area on the left bank of the River Scheldt, and the Waasland Canal link to the North Sea.
Supplementing the existing Kallolock nearby, the Deurganckdocklock will significantly enhance access to the Deurganckdock and other Waasland docks; greatly increase the capability, capacity and availability of the lock system; and facilitate the continued development of Waasland (where planned projects include the lengthening of the Verrebroeck dock and development of the Saeftinghe zone). The project will also strengthen the Port of Antwerp's position as the second-busiest port in Europe.
The European Investment Bank is contributing half (Euros 170 million) of the project cost. KBC Bank is providing a Euros 81 million loan, with the balance coming from Antwerp Port Authority and the Flemish government.
The Deurganckdocklock will be the largest lock in the world, with a length of 500m, a width of 68m and a depth (relative to the local datum point) of 17.8m. It is deeper than, but based on the design of, the Port of Antwerp's Berendrecht lock.
In addition to its size, the Deurganck lock will be notable for its massive concrete L-shaped sluice walls, its rapid filling and emptying system, and the two 'wheelbarrow' type metal gates at each end.
The Deurganckdocklock will contain 795,000m3 of reinforced concrete; 22,000 tonnes of structural steel; and 57,000m3 of sheet piling reinforcement.
Some 255 people are currently working on the Deurganckdocklock project, which began in November 2011. Works include dredging of the approach channel; excavation and some back-filling; concrete construction (which started in mid-November); and the installation of steel structures such as lock doors and road and rail bridges.