The Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management (Rijkswaterstaat) has commissioned DHV and Iv-Infra to develop three options for a new and larger shipping lock at IJmuiden near Amsterdam. The objective of the study is to improve the accessibility of harbours along the North Sea Canal.

The planning study consists of two phases. The first will determine the required dimensions of the new lock, its preferred location, the most efficient construction method, and whether all environmental requirements can be met. The findings will be set down in a 'proof of concept' document for the engineering feasibility of the new lock, together with a preliminary environmental impact assessment and a social cost-benefit analysis.

The first phase of the planning study is likely to be completed at the end of this year. The study has been earmarked for a grant of €1.75 million from the European Union's TEN-T programme.

Based on three detailed variants for the new lock, the stakeholders – the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment, the City of Amsterdam and the Province of North Holland – will select the preferred option. If the go-ahead is given the second phase will involve the detailed design of the preferred option and a full environmental impact assessment. The call for tenders for construction of the lock will start simultaneously. At the end of the second phase, the final decision will be taken on whether to build the lock.

Capacity
The IJmuiden lock complex consists of four gates. Over eighty per cent of cargo bound for the Port of Amsterdam enters the North Sea Canal through the largest of the gates, the Noordersluis. It was built in 1929 and will require replacement within the next 15 to 20 years, having reached the end of its service life. The new gate must increase throughput capacity in line with the expected growth in waterborne transport. It will make it possible to meet market demand and additionally make a major contribution to the overall development of the North Sea Canal region and its hinterland.

Project partners
The project necessitates intensive cooperation between the North Holland provincial government, the Port of Amsterdam, the Ministry of Infrastructure and the Environment and Rijkswaterstaat. The parties are working together under a covenant signed in 2009 in which they agreed to build a new and larger sea gate.

This news item is based on a press release issued by Rijkswaterstaat.