In January 2023, construction began on eight elements of a new tunnel under the Scheldt River on the Boudewijn Canal in Zeebrugge. This key infrastructure project completes the Antwerp Ring Road and forms the fourth river crossing, alongside the Kennedy, Waasland, and Liefkenshoek tunnels. For this purpose, the contractor created a dedicated construction yard at the intersection of the Boudewijn Canal and the Verbindingsdok dock – a structure approximately 1 kilometer long and 200 meters wide. At the end of September, the final tunnel element was delivered to Antwerp, after which the construction site fulfilled its primary function.
By the end of December, the contractor will completely dismantle the temporary infrastructure, freeing up the yard area. However, the project is not complete: the temporary construction dock will be converted into a permanent port facility. The Port of Antwerp-Bruges is already constructing a new berthing line at the Verbindingsdok dock. According to project manager Patrice Windevogel, at least one RORO vessel, designed for transporting wheeled vehicles, cars, and specialized cargo, will be able to berth here in the future.
Starting in the fall of 2026, the temporary walls on the Boudewijn Canal side will be removed, after which the dock will be widened and deepened to approximately 12 meters to accommodate the largest vessels. Two additional berths will be created along the new berth. As a result, Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s Orcelle Terminal will gain three new berths for RORO vessels and space for approximately 8,000 additional cars. This will strengthen the Port of Antwerp-Bruges’ position as the world’s largest automobile port. Completion of the work and commissioning of the new dock are scheduled for the first half of 2027.