Berendrecht Lock
The Berendrecht Lock is the world's second-largest lock, providing access to the right-bank docks of the Port of Antwerp in Belgium.
Background
Post World War II, work started on the Grote Doorsteek, an ambitious plan which ultimately resulted in the extension of the Antwerp docks on the right bank of the Scheldt to the Netherlands border. In 1967, the company completed the construction of the Zandvliet Lock, then the world's largest lock.Construction
In 1989, needing to accommodate a wider Post-Panamax ship, the company built a new lock just to the south of the Zandvliet lock. The Berendrecht Lock, which at is wider. Bascule bridges at the ends of each lock,, allow full road traffic access around the port. The two locks now work as a doubled lock system.Completion of the Berendrecht Lock allowed the extended development of the right bank docks complex, and later the creation of fast turnaround tidal berths, both on the right bank, and on the left bank.