At the end of April, under ideal weather conditions, the South Dock Gate of the Maeslant Barrier was hoisted out. Using the Matador 3 of Bonn & Mees, this impressive gate – 14 metres high, 27 metres wide, 3 metres thick and weighing 325 tonnes – was lifted with the utmost precision and transported to our yard in Krimpen aan den IJssel.
Commissioned by Rijkswaterstaat, Hollandia Services is carrying out major maintenance on the dock gates (with the North Dock Gate scheduled for next year) and their associated components. Hundreds of parts are being inspected, cleaned and replaced where necessary. Following this thorough overhaul, both dock gates will be fit for service for another 20 years.
The works are being carried out under a tight schedule: spring is the most favourable period due to the lower risk of storms and high water. Our service engineers are therefore working diligently to complete this challenging task as efficiently and safely as possible.
Did you know that the dock gates themselves do not hold back the water? That role is fulfilled by the iconic white retaining walls of the Maeslant Barrier – a structure you will surely recognise. When the dock gates close off the dock, they help regulate the dock’s water level, make maintenance of the retaining walls possible, and protect them from potential external damage.
