TheBerendrecht Lock is the world's second-largestlock, providing access to the right-bank docks of thePort of Antwerp inBelgium.
PostWorld War II, work started on theGrote Doorsteek, an ambitious plan which ultimately resulted in the extension of theAntwerp docks on the right bank of theScheldt to theNetherlands border. In 1967, the company completed the construction of the Zandvliet Lock (Zandvlietsluis), then the world's largest lock.
In 1989, needing to accommodate a wider Post-Panamax ship, the company built a new lock just to the south of the Zandvliet lock. The Berendrecht Lock, which at 68 metres (223 ft) is 11 metres (36 ft) wider.Bascule bridges at the ends of each lock, (Zandvliet and Frederik-Hendrik bridges across the Zandlievet Lock; and Oudendijk and Berendrecht bridges across the Berendrecht Lock), allow full road traffic access around the port.[1] The two locks now work as adoubled lock system.
Completion of the Berendrecht Lock allowed the extended development of the right bank docks complex, and later the creation of fast turnaround tidal berths, both on the right bank (Europa Terminal and the North Sea Terminal), and on the left bank (the Deurganck Dock).[2]
In both length and total volume (length×breadth×difference in water levels), the Berendrecht Lock is the second-largest in the world.
In November 2011, work started on theKieldrecht Lock which became in June 2016 the world's new largest lock on the left bank of the Scheldt. Based on the design of the Berendrecht Lock, it has the same length and width, but with an operational depth (TAW) of 17.8 metres (58 ft).[3]
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51°20′42.0″N4°17′4.0″E / 51.345000°N 4.284444°E /51.345000; 4.284444