Technical specifications

A second sea lock was required at the Antwerp port to allow further growth of shipping traffic on the left bank of the River Schelde. Once completed, the new lock, which connects the River Schelde to Waaslandhaven at the end of Deurganck Dock, is the largest lock in the world with a length of 500 m and a width of 68m at a draught of up to -17.8 m.

Protected by a surrounding diaphragm wall and residual water retention, the lock was built in a sloped construction pit.

Wayss & Freytag Spezialtiefbau carried out approx. 90,000 m² of diaphragm wall for the approx. 2,700 m enclosure in a JV. At an average depth of 34 m, a minimum of 3 m was integrated in the stevedore „Boomse klei“. W&F had a 50 % share in the contract value of € 5.6 m.

The costs for the entire project amounted to approx. 382 m €, 50 % of which were financed by the European Investment Bank (EIB).