Arcadis has been commissioned by the Port of Rotterdam to prepare for the renovation of the Rozenburg lock complex near Rotterdam. The complex consists of a double-ended lock with two bridges that has connected the Caland Canal to the Hartel Canal since 1971, and is now in need of renovation. The tender expressly included a vision for how scope, workability and feasibility would be integrated.
The lock was built by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management and is 1,000 feet long, 79 feet wide and suitable for ships up to and including the CEMT-VIc waterway class (i.e. the second largest vessel designation for inland waterways of international importance). In principle, the lock is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The Rozenburg lock is part of a shipping route that is essential for accessibility to and from the western port area with twenty thousand ships passing through it each year. Arcadis is drawing up the design and construction contract for the work.
Remote operation
In addition, Arcadis is making the specifications, determining the scope for the renovation and calculating the expected investments needed to restore the various lock components. Arcadis is also looking at how to organize 'remote operation' in a way that will ensure the complex aligns with laws and regulations (health and safety, Machinery Directive, building code) and guarantee its service life over the next 50 years.
Proud
'We are proud of this renovation and replacement assignment,' says project director Wolter Seinen. 'This waterway is where the various parts of our company flow together. At the follow-up stage, our designs and recommendations will be the basis on which the contractor selected by the Port will tackle the work.'
Top view, Netherlands
