Europa Terminal
In order to be able to continue serving the most modern container ships, Port of Antwerp-Bruges, together with the operator PSA, is rebuilding the quay wall and the terminal at the Europa Terminal. These renovations will also result in an efficient and sustainable terminal that contributes to the transition towards a climate-neutral port. The works will be carried out in several phases and will take about 9 years in total.
Sustainable growth
As the engine of the Belgian economy, Port of Antwerp-Bruges is evolving in line with global developments. In order to remain a top-class world port, the port must be able to offer its customers a well-functioning infrastructure and additional container capacity. To that end, it is not only continually expanding, as it is doing in the case of the ECA project, but is also optimising its existing capacity. The renovation of the Europa Terminal is an important step in the further expansion of a sustainable port.
The Europa Terminal commenced operations in 1990 as the first tidal container terminal in Antwerp. At the moment, the maximum draught of vessels that can moor at its 1200-metre quay wall is 13.5 metres. So that the port is also able to accommodate container shipping with larger draughts, the maximum draught at the terminal's quay wall will be increased to 16 metres, the maximum draught for vessels entering the port.
Works to be carried out in three phases
As vessels must be able to continue to dock while the works are under way in order to load and unload goods and in order to minimise the operational impact, we will be rebuilding the quay wall in three major phases. In addition, we will create additional temporary moorings for inland navigation, so we can guarantee that our customers will receive a smooth service.
In the first three years of the project, we will prepare the first 450 metres of quay for the future. A temporary water retaining structure will ensure that no debris enters the river Scheldt and will protect the works from passing ships and river tides. We will demolish the existing quay wall and equip the new quay wall with crane beams and all necessary ducting and infrastructure for electrification and other optimisations. After that, we will dredge down to the required depth of 17.5 metres and install the new container cranes.
We will then repeat this process for the next 220 metres of quay wall. Finally, the remaining 530 metres will be upgraded in the same way. These extensive maritime works will take around 9 years to complete and have been carefully plotted, based on predicted traffic levels in the coming years.
Contact point
Do you have any questions, comments or complaints regarding the works at the Europa Terminal? Do not hesitate to contact us.
Reconciling the economy, people and our climate
By constructing this new quay wall, Port of Antwerp-Bruges is creating the port infrastructure of the future and ensuring the prosperity of current and future generations. An essential factor in this renovation is the need to ensure a balance between economic needs, concerns in the surrounding area and climate ambitions.
Reducing CO2 emissions
The rebuilding of the terminal will also contribute to the transition towards a climate-neutral port. Electrification and other optimisations will reduce CO2 emissions per container by 50% and wind turbines will increase the share of renewable energy. Finally, new technologies, such as shore power or an equivalent alternative, will reduce vessels' in-port emissions.
In harmony with the surrounding environment
The new quay wall will be reorientated to ensure sufficient distance between passing ships and the terminal and in order to direct them away from the Galgeschoor nature reserve. To provide additional protection for the nature reserve and ensure that it does not subside, the final phase of the works will include the construction of an underwater dam.
Noise pollution during the works will be kept to a minimum and we will protect the sleep of our neighbours. In the long term, the electrification of the terminal will reduce emissions produced in order to provide lighting in port and new technologies will improve local noise pollution.
In collaboration with these partners
