The first section of the Scheldt Tunnel, safely arrived in Antwerp during the night of May 31. After a journey of over 110 kilometers across the North Sea and the Scheldt River, the element reached the Doeldok, where it will remain parked until July. It will then be submerged at its final location in the Scheldt.
Four tugboats and one pusher boat were tasked with safely guiding this impressive tunnel section measuring 160 meters long, 42 meters wide, and 10 meters high. Weighing approximately 60,000 tons, the transport was a technical feat and a fine example of nautical coordination.
The element departed Friday morning from the construction dock in Zeebrugge and passed the Vandammes Lock, the Zeebrugge outer harbor, and Terneuzen. The route over the North Sea and the sharp bends along the Scheldt posed the greatest challenges. The passage was smooth and that under the watchful eye of a lot of interested spectators.
This successful arrival marks a new milestone in the realization of the Oosterweel connection. In the coming months, the seven other tunnel sections will begin their journey.
We are working with TM COTU (Besix Group, Jan De Nul Group, DEME Group and STADSBADER CONTRACTORS) on this project on behalf of Lantis.
