Large container ships are now able to pass each other when entering and leaving the Port of Rotterdam, following the completion of work to widen the Maasgeul on 1 December.
According to Rotterdam's Port Authority, the directorate-general for Public Works and Water Management widened the Maasgeul by 250 metres, meaning vessels with a draught of more than 14.4 metres can only enter or leave the port of Rotterdam via this navigation channel.
'The widening of the Maasgeul was designed especially for container ships. These ships are becoming increasingly large so that more containers can be transported at the same time,' a statement read. 'The Port of Rotterdam Authority also expects container throughput to grow in the future. But not only container ships will benefit from the widening, the waiting times for other large sea-going ships, such as tankers and bulk carriers, will also be cut.'
Maasgeul's widening process was completed in six months, with around 350,000 cubic metres of clay, sand and peat dredged from the sea floor to a depth of 21 metres.
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