Amsterdam Port secures financing to open larger lock in 2016

A PLAN to add a new larger sea lock to improve access to the Amsterdam port area in Holland has taken a vital step closer to reaching fruition, after the central government, province and municipality reached agreement on the project's financing. The proposed new lock is expected to become operational in 2016.

The decision to expand the port's lock system was prompted by the recent rapid growth in port traffic, which has brought to light the capacity limitations of the existing locks.

More than 80 per cent of all cargo comes through the Noordersluis, the largest of the port's four locks. However, its net width of 45 metres is too narrow for the broad ships used by today's container and bulk shipping industry to pass, according to a statement from port authorities.

"A new larger lock is the best option for using the growth potential of the North Sea canal area," said Port of Amsterdam CEO Dertje Meijer.

Mr Meijer expects transshipment volumes at the Port of Amsterdam to double to 125 million tonnes of cargo in 2020, within the present port borders and applicable environmental standards. His growth forecast is in line with the latest multiyear programme for Infrastructure, Zoning and Transport (MIRT) survey.

Transport and Public Works Minister Camiel Eurlings, Port Alderman Freek Ossel and representative Elisabeth Post of North Holland province signed a covenant on the new lock's financing in November, which has been budgeted at more than EUR700 million (US$1 billion).

With the financing in place, Mr Eurlings can now move on to the last stage in the planning process, known as the Plan Study. This defines the lock's dimensions and location, and identifies the most efficient way of building it and whether all environmental requirements can be met. This procedure is expected to take around three years to complete.

(Source: www.schednet.com)