The Antwerp-based Ivens Constructiebedrijf delivered six tanks to Vopak Rotterdam. Because of their height of 24 metres, transport along the Scheldt/Rhine connection was not an option. Transport took place via the Western Scheldt and the Wemeldinge canal.
The storage tanks, in which the chemical styrene will be stored at Vopak, have a diameter of 12.5 metres and a height of 24 metres. Transport was provided by Victrol with a pontoon pulled by a tugboat. The cranes on both sides were supplied and operated by Saerens.
Travel route
A lot of barges sail between Antwerp and Rotterdam every day, and they usually take the busy Scheldt/Rhine connection with fixed bridges. The very high tanks required the route known in sailing circles as the Fixed Mast Route. It goes via the Eastern Scheldt to the Hellegatsplein, where there is a lift bridge. The Hollands Diep is then followed to Moerdijk, to reach Rotterdam via the Oude Maas.
Made in Antwerp
The tanks were produced in Antwerp by Ivens Constructiebedrijf on Noorderlaan and hoisted aboard the pontoon at Quay 532. They were delivered last week. Three large tanks were also delivered to Monument Chemical in the Waaslandhaven. Here too, a Victrol pontoon brought them to the site. The last part of the transport was by public road and therefore the traffic had to be stopped temporarily.
Source: Flows.be
