A number of new berths have been added for inland shipping in the mouth of the Afrikahaven, the Port of Amsterdam reported. The berths became operational last week, and they are specially designed for tankers carrying flammable materials.
The new berths are considered necessary as the current berths designated for these types of vessels were removed because of the construction of new or expanded terminals. There was also then need for a second coaster berth near Amerikahaven, alongside the current berth in the Minervahaven.
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The works took place between November 2017 and February 2019 and included the excavation of five hectares of land and the diversion of a dam across a length of 200 metres. This cleared the way for the construction of 18 berths for inland navigation vessels measuring up to 135 metres in length.
The project also incorporates the addition of three mooring quays plus mooring piles, as well as the construction of a concrete quay that will be a vehicle transfer point and coaster berth. A water dispensing station will also be added to the quay, providing drinking water to ship operators, along with a waste processing facility where they can leave their domestic waste.
The works have been offered to the market by public tender. Contractors were rewarded for their sustainability efforts if they disposed as much soil from the newly available land by vessel as possible. This contributed significantly in the efforts to reduce the amount of lorry traffic during this operation.
In addition to advancing the development of the Amsterdam port area, the new berth also helps to preserve and improve the Markermeer’s natural assets.
