Antwerp starts the next stage of the world’s largest lock

According to the Antwerp Port Authority, the Deurganckdocklock will achieve huge benefits including:

● significantly enhancing access to the Deurganckdock and other Waasland docks, especially for the world’s largest ships
● greatly increasing lock system capability, capacity and availability
● facilitating the continued development of Waasland where planned projects include the lengthening of the Verrebroeck dock and development of the Saeftinghe zone, particularly for increased container traffic
● strengthening the Port of Antwerp’s position as the second-busiest port in Europe
● supporting Antwerp’srole as a hub in the European Union’s trans-European transport network (TEN-T)

The EU’s European Investment Bank is contributing 50% of the project cost (EUR 170m), KBC Bank is providing a EUR 81m loan, and the balance will provided by the Antwerp Port Authority and the Flemishgovernment.