Kieldrecht Lock
The Kieldrecht Lock (Dutch: Kieldrechtsluis) is the world's largest lock, taking over this title from the Berendrecht Lock. The Kieldrecht Lock gives access to the left-bank docks of the Port of Antwerp in Belgium. The lock was opened on June 10, 2016 in the presence of King Philippe of Belgium.
Construction
In November 2011, work started on the Kieldrecht Lock on the left bank of the Scheldt. It was completed in May 2016. 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), which makes it the world's largest lock. The new lock is at the end of the Deurganck dock, to provide the Leftbank docks access to the sea between the Scheldt and the Waasland Canal. To construct the lock, 9.1 million m3 of earth was excavated, and 22,000 tonnes of structural steel, three times the amount required to build the Eiffel Tower. Costing €340 million, of which 50% is financed by the European Investment Bank, the Flemish KBC Bank also made a €81 million credit line available, with the balance provided by the Antwerp Port Authority and the Flemish Government.[1]
Dimensions
The dimensions of the Kieldrecht Lock are as follows:
- Length: 500 metres (1,600 ft)
- Width: 68 metres (223 ft)
- Operational Depth (TAW): 17.8 metres (58 ft)
- No. Lock Gates: four, sliding lock gates
On both length and total volume (length x breadth x the difference in water levels), the Kieldrecht Lock is the largest in the world.
References
- ↑ "Works start on the world’s largest lock at Antwerp Port". PortTechnology.org. 23 November 2011. Retrieved 2016-06-10.
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Coordinates: 51°16′45.2″N 4°14′49.9″E / 51.279222°N 4.247194°E