2023-10-02 15:36:37
A depth record was broken on Monday at the port of Antwerp. A first draft test of 16 meters was successful, the port of Antwerp-Bruges said in a press release.
Sixteen meters is the maximum depth authorized on the Western Scheldt, the estuary that ships must use if they want to travel from the sea to Antwerp. It was the MSC Tessa which entered the port with such a draft on Monday morning. The port was working on a series of tests which would gradually increase the depth from 15.7 to 16 meters.
“We need to reach this milestone to be able to continue to accommodate the largest container ships in the future,” explain the port authorities. The tests were carried out by the Flemish and Dutch Association of Ship Pilots, the MSC company, the Joint Nautical Authority and the Port of Antwerp-Bruges.
A higher draft allows ships to increase their carrying capacity. A difference of a few decimeters in depth allows a vessel to load a thousand additional containers. MSC has been advocating for some time to increase this draft. “It goes without saying that the company wants to make the most of its ships to and from its European hub,” commented CEO Marc Beerlandt.
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