News

The construction of Zeesluis IJmuiden is almost completed. Now that all the lock gates have been put in position, the area around the new sea lock is being prepared for its future use. During the preparation of the area, everything will be made ready for the opening of the lock.

In March 2021, the last two lock gates on the canal side were successfully installed. The whole operation lasted four days. Edgar Breedveld and Victor Arnolds were involved in this milestone achievement. They directed the positioning process and ensured a good outcome.

The contours of Zeesluis IJmuiden are now clearly visible and this means that the final phase of construction has now begun. In the coming months, OpenIJ will continue with the construction of the Loswal (quay) on the Zuidersluiseiland (number 1 in the picture); the public road across the locks will open for pedestrians, cyclists and mopeds (number 2 in the picture).

In 11 weeks’ time, 600,000 m3 of sand has been dredged out of the lock chamber by cutter suction dredger ‘Biesbosch’. The lock chamber is now at a depth of 19m below NAP. The bottom of the lock will be made of gravel and concrete which, when completed, will give the lock a maximum depth of 18 metres.

In July, the municipality of Velsen and Rijkswaterstaat launched a competition campaign for the naming of the new sea lock at IJmuiden. And with success: The municipality of Velsen received almost 5000 responses!

The new sea lock that is now being built will replace the IJmuiden North Lock. This new 'front door' for the area around Amsterdam has many advantages. Companies in the region are preparing for the moment when the lock will be put into operation.