First part of Scheldtunnel leaves for Antwerp

The tunnel part leaves its home in Zeebrugge for the first time and takes a journey of more than 100 kilometers to Antwerp. The tunnel elements are built in a construction dock in the port of Zeebrugge and are transported through the water. That relocation is a feat, taking into account weather conditions, wind force, wave, flow and tides. Only if all parameters are favorable during the full speed and at the planned departure moment, can the tunnel part leave.

Simulations have been used to prepare the skippers for transport. The full crew has already virtually taken the process several times. The tour starts on the Bouwdok and goes to the Voorhaven of Zeebrugge. Four tugboats and a push boat transport the 160 -meter long and 60,000 tons of heavy tunnel part via the North Sea and the Scheldt to the Doeldok in the port of Antwerp. In total that happens eight times this year.

The boats drag the tunnel part from the Bouwdok and maneuver it to the connecting bridge. Then it goes via the Vandammesluis to the first waiting location in the Voorhaven of Zeebrugge. Via the North Sea and the Scheldt, the part continues its way to a second waiting location in Terneuzen. For the waiting locations, it is waiting to be able to sail further at Vloed, which saves fuel and energy.

According to the current planning, at least two tunnel parts will leave in June. All parts from Zeebrugge should have left by the end of August. Four of them are then in their final place on the Scheldebodem, the other four are still waiting in the goal dock. All elements would have been placed at the end of this year.