A remarkable journey has begun! As part of the Oosterweel works, the first tunnel element of the new Scheldt Tunnel set off from the construction dock in Zeebrugge, starting a remarkable journey of over 100 kilometres toward Antwerp. This marks the beginning of one of the most complex maritime operations ever seen in Flanders.
Over the course of this year, the operation will be carried out eight times by TM COTU, a consortium including DEME, and Lantis, guided by four tugboats and a push boat. Each massive tunnel element - 160 metres long, 42 metres wide, and weighing 60,000 tonnes - will travel via the North Sea and the Scheldt River to its temporary destination at the Doeldok in Antwerp.
⏱Once there, the elements will wait for the perfect moment to be immersed and positioned at their final location in the Scheldt. This is no easy task: the Scheldt is a dynamic river with strong currents. To ensure a safe and precise immersion, the operation must take place during slack tide - a short window when the difference between ebb and flood is at its smallest. This window only occurs twice a month, around the first and last quarters of the moon.
Curious to see this in action? You can track the journey of the tunnel elements live via www.kanjersopkomst.be
Client: Lantis
TM COTU Partners: Besix, Jan De Nul Group, STADSBADER CONTRACTORS NV
