After almost 100 years of service, the existing Noordersluis (northern lock) in IJmuiden was due for replacement. The “OpenIJ” consortium received the order from Rijkswaterstaat for the construction of a new sea lock in the North Sea Canal near IJmuiden, located between the existing Noordersluis and the Middensluis. The assignment includes the design, construction, financing and maintenance of this new sea lock for 26 years.