The first phase of the renewal of the Europa Terminal at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges is underway. To keep offering the same level of service during the extensive works and to continue to encourage the modal shift, a new barge quay has been constructed.

The new quay is temporarily creating additional mooring space for inland navigation. The quayside and terminal upgrade, which will take about ten years, will ensure that the latest generation of container ships can continue to call at Antwerp.

First phase launched

In order to continue to compete at the top level of world ports and offer customers additional container capacity and a high-performance infrastructure, Port of Antwerp-Bruges and PSA Antwerp are investing in the upgrade of the quayside and automated yard of the Europa Terminal. The works are being split up into three major phases, with a third of the new quayside being upgraded each time, while the remainder remains operational.

With preparatory work and tests completed, the first phase of the extensive works can now get underway. In this phase, the Temporary Partnership of four contractors – Artes-Roegiers, Artes-Depret, Herbosch-Kiere and Boskalis – will be demolishing 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.

Smooth services

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 to dock. In order to ensure a smooth service to customers and to continue to encourage the modal shift, a temporary barge quay will provide additional mooring space for inland navigation. Construction of this new 150-metre quay was completed in April and after extensive testing, it is now ready to handle barges until the end of the works. Port of Antwerp-Bruges will be in charge of the operationality of the quay during the works.