New temporary barge quay ready as upgrade project works commence at Antwerp’s Europa Terminal

18.05.2023

The first phase of the renewal of Antwerp's Europa Terminal is underway with a new barge quay having been constructed.

The purpose of this construction is to keep offering the same level of service during the extensive works and to continue to encourage the modal shift.

The barge quay is already operational and is temporarily creating additional mooring space for inland navigation.

The quayside and terminal upgrade, which will take about ten years, is going to ensure that the latest generation of container ships can continue to call at Belgium's major port.

In fact, Port of Antwerp-Bruges and PSA Antwerp are investing in the upgrade of the quayside and automated yard of the Europa Terminal, in order to improve the terminal efficiency and performance.

The works are being split up into three major phases, with a third of the new quayside being upgraded each time, while the remaining space remains operational.

More specifically, with preparatory work and tests completed, the first phase of the works can now get underway.

In this phase, the Temporary Partnership of four contractors - Artes-Roegiers, Artes-Depret, Herbosch-Kiere and Boskalis - will demolish the existing quayside, installing temporary structures for further implementation and starting construction of the first section of the 1,200-metre-long new quayside, which will boast a 16-metre draught.

Working in three phases will allow the terminal to remain operational throughout the entire 10-year period of the works and allow ships to continue docking.

The construction of the new temporary 150-metre quay was completed in April and after extensive testing, it is now ready to handle barges until the end of the works.