Nautical access routes

• Approach along the Scheldt via the Kattendijk lock (pleasure craft and passenger vessels up to 90 metres in length).
• Via the Scheldt-Rhine Canal and the seaport of Antwerp or via the Albert Canal and then pass through the Mexicobrug (bridge).
• From the Kattendijkdok, pleasure boats can reach the Willemdok marina via the Londenbrug (bridge).

• On the Visurius website of De Vlaamse Waterweg you can find current information about the waterways such as closures, tides and water levels and calculate your itinerary using the handy trip planner.
• Information on transiting the Antwerp seaport, VTS monitoring and passage planning can be found on the Port of Antwerp Bruges website.
• For more information on the construction of the Canal Tunnels and the impact on shipping to the Antwerp City Port, visit the Oosterweel Link website;
• In the Kattendijkdok, the Cadix pontoon and Quay 14 can be used by pleasure craft as a waiting quay while waiting for the Londenbrug to open, while awaiting passage through the Kattendijk lock or for the Mexicobrug to open. 
  In the Kempisch dok, the lowered quay (stairway quay) serves as a waiting quay. Short-term mooring is allowed there, but it is not a berth. Pleasure craft can get a berth in the Willemdok marina.

Antwerp faces a significant challenge in the coming years due to the large and complex mobility project to construct the Oosterweel Connection. This project includes the construction of Canal Tunnels under the Albert Canal, a Scheldt tunnel and a new Oosterweel junction.

The Scheldt Tunnel will connect left and right banks on the north side of the city. Via the new Oosterweel junction at the Noordkasteel and the Canal Tunnels under the Albert Canal, the new Scheldt Tunnel will connect with the Ring Road, enabling you to drive smoothly towards the Netherlands or to the south of the city.

The project will be implemented in a number of phases. Unfortunately, these works will also cause a degree of inconvenience. To build the Canal Tunnels, a construction pit will be created in the Albert Canal, restricting access to the Antwerp City Port.

These works began on 13 May 2024 and are already clearly visible. Lantis, the builder of the Oosterweel Connection issues communications regarding the progress of the works. For further information about the works, please visit www.oosterweelverbinding.be.

In order to safely combine shipping traffic with the site activities, consultation meetings were scheduled with the different sectors and with the pleasure and passenger shipping sectors in particular, before the work itself got under way. A charter was drawn up to ensure that City Port users can continue travelling to the City Port smoothly and safely. Additional vessel guidance was provided by means of a passage planning facility. More information in several languages can be found at Port of Antwerp-Bruges.

In addition, there is a change in the nautical parameters for river cruises regarding their stay in the Antwerp City Port. Due to recent change of authority, we are focusing as much as possible

on the Scheldt Quays, an attractive location with the Cruise Pontoon situated near Het Steen. As a result, there will always be sufficient available berths for cruise ships during the works to construct the Oosterweel Connection. The focus is now on the berths along the Scheldt quays, since the Kattendijkdok is only accessible for passenger ships with an LOA of maximum 90 metres.

More information

• Any questions about the progress of the works or on any other matter? If so, please send an e-mail to info@lantis.be .
• Questions about berth management or of matters of a nautical nature? Send an e-mail to the Antwerp City Port at stadshaven@antwerpen.be .