Radars and cameras in the port of Antwerp

The Flemish Government and in particular the VTS (Vessel Traffic Service) is carrying out investment projects in the four Flemish seaports, aimed at achieving perfect compatibility and exchangeability between the government’s own facilities and the equipment used within the port areas.

Six radar stations have already been built within the Antwerp port area by the Flemish Government and Antwerp Port Authority. The six stations are K 50 (Samga), K 204 (Wilmarsdonk bridge), K 287 (Sibelco), K 503 (Vopak), K 635 (Nafta) and K 711 (Zandvliet lock).

There are also four cameras used to monitor shipping traffic: two on K287 and two on K653. It is now planned to install two cameras on each of the other four sites during the next two years, and another site with two cameras is currently under construction at the Kallo lock on the left bank. The new cameras are of the very latest design: the wide angle, colour cameras are equipped with lens washers and wipers so that they can continue operating even in the worst weather.

Agreement signed for construction of Antwerp Coordination Center

An agreement to build an Antwerp Coordination Center (ACC) was signed on Wednesday by chairman Marc Van Peel and CEO Eddy Brunincks for Antwerp Port Authority and general director Jacques D’Havé for the Maritime & Coast Service.

In the future all departments involved in shipping traffic management will be on the same footing, quite literally: the 30 or so people working for the relevant departments of the Flemish Government (mainly shipping traffic management and pilotage), Antwerp Port Authority and various other parties directly involved will share the same workfloor in the ACC building. By working together in this way these nautical and operational services will be able to communicate directly, thus ensuring safe and efficient management of shipping traffic. The ACC will also house a general crisis centre for the Antwerp port area. The new facility will be located behind the Port Authority’s operations building A, beside the Zandvliet and Berendrecht locks. The old building will be demolished, while the new one will be higher than the original so as to afford a better view over the Scheldt.

The cost of building the new ACC is estimated at 12 million euros and will be borne jointly by Antwerp Port Authority and the Flemish Government.

As the first step in implementing the agreement, an international architectural competition is being organised by the Flemish Government Architect.

The ACC will be more than an operational building: it will serve as an architectural landmark in the port landscape of Antwerp and of Flanders. It is hoped that on handover (currently planned for 2013) it will be seen as an international reference point for Flanders as a centre of maritime know-how, and as a striking symbol of Flanders Port Area.

Source: Antwerp Port Authority