December 11, 2014 [Port of Rotterdam Authority] - The removal of an underwater dam at the entrance to the Botlek (by port number 4030) has been completed successfully. The nautical guaranteed depth (NGD) was -5.60 metres NAP (New Amsterdam Water Level) and will now be -14.50 metres NAP. In total, the building consortium Boskalis/Van Oord dredged over 500,000 m3 from the mouth of the Botlek.
These operations will considerably improve the nautical accessibility of this port area. At the end of September, a significant section of the shallows was removed, so that the Oasis of the Seas – the biggest passenger ship in the world – could access Keppel Verolme more easily.
The measure is in line with Port Authority policy to continue to develop existing port areas in the port of Rotterdam. In the coming five years, it will be investing half a billion euros in this.
