Port of Rotterdam: Construction of Maasvlakte 2 well on schedule
20,000 concrete blocks protect the coast of Port of Rotterdam
Construction works of Maasvlakte 2 are well proceeding at the Port of Rotterdam. The first 40 metres of the new block dam that will protect Maasvlakte 2 from the onslaught of the waves are now in place. Three weeks ago, a special crane – the Blockbuster – started working on this breakwater, which will be built in the sea 50 metres off the coast. This crane, which weighs around 1200 tonnes and has a counterweight of 360 tonnes, was specially designed for the construction of the block dam. From a temporary track the Blockbuster is positioning the concrete blocks, each weighing some 40 tonnes, in the sea to an accuracy of 15 centimetres. The block dam should be completed by the beginning of next year. Then, 20,000 concrete blocks from the old block dam of the Maasvlakte will have been moved to their new position.
Construction work on the quay wall is also on schedule. The RWG (Rotterdam World Gateway) deep-sea quay and barge/feeder quay shall be completed this year. A lot of work is also going into the quays for the new terminal of APM Terminals. The emphasis of the work on Maasvlakte 2 is currently on the construction of the hard sea defence, the construction of the quays for the first container terminals and the preparations for the construction of infrastructure, such as roads, railway lines and cables and pipelines.
