Sarens Installs Six Lock Doors on Leie River in Belgium

Sarens has unloaded and installed six lock gates on the Leie River in Belgium, on behalf of client Victor Buyck Steel Construction. The gates, which were installed on the river near Sint-Baafs-Vijve were designed to fit a brand new, larger lock as part of the De Vlaamse Waterweg Seine-Schelde Project.

“In the southwest of Flanders, Belgium, along the Leie River, all the locks are being renewed and enlarged,” explains Project Manager Luc De Meester. “This years-long project will allow larger inland vessels weighing up to 3.000 tones to sail, via the Leie, from the Seine in France to the Schelde in Antwerp.”

To unload and install the enormous 43-tonne lock doors, Sarens used the LTM 1130-5.1 and LTM 1450-8.1. Additionally, an AC50 and LTM 1100-5.2 worked for several days alongside the lock, completing preparations and finishing work. 

In selecting the equipment, Sarens paid special attention to ground pressure and ensured that cranes would be versatile and flexible in three different positions along the lock. Because all equipment came from the Sarens headquarters in Wolvertem, Sarens could quickly transport and set up the telescopic cranes at the job site.

The lock doors measured 9,75m x 10m with a 26,6m radius, and Sarens crane drivers successfully lifted them without the use of a tailing crane. The work was completed one day earlier than expected, and Sarens is pleased to have been a part of this crucial initiative. For more information on the project, visit the Seine-Schelde Project website or view the video!