Building to start on world’s largest lock

Currently the port’s Berendrecht lock holds the title of the world’s largest; however, the new Deurganckdock structure will have a width of 68 metres, a length of 500 m between its gates and a draught of 17.8 m to take over this distinction. It is scheduled to be operational in 2016.

On the landward side, facing the dock complex, the lock will lead into the Waasland canal from where ships will have easy access to all the other docks on the left bank: the Doel dock, the Verrebroek dock, the Vrasene dock and the north and south mooring docks.

According to the port, the second lock is of crucial importance for access to the port area on the left bank, assuring its further development; ships with greater draught will be able to reach the docks behind it at any given water level in the Scheldt.