Antwerp (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Antwerp’s Petroleum Pier will be raised 11 meters, extended 135 meters, and restored. Minister Jo Brouns approved the project, led by De Vlaamse Waterweg and Blue Gate Antwerp Public Holding NV.
As VRT News reported, the Petroleum Pier on Antwerp’s Petroleum-Zuid site is set to undergo a major renovation. Flemish Environment Minister Jo Brouns (CD&V) has approved an environmental permit for the project. The work includes raising and extending the pier. Once completed, the structure will remain a protected heritage site while serving modern industrial functions.
How will Antwerp’s Petroleum Pier be raised and extended while preserving heritage?
The Petroleum Pier on the Petroleum-Zuid site in Antwerp will be raised by 11 meters. The 14 brick piers will be restored, and the structure will be extended by 135 meters. The work is part of the sustainable redevelopment of the Blue Gate area.
The project is led by De Vlaamse Waterweg together with Blue Gate Antwerp Public Holding NV and other partners. It aims to preserve the historic pier while making it stable for future water level rises in the Scheldt River.
Construction will involve pile-driving, which may cause temporary noise. Work will be limited to 14 daylight days to reduce disruption. Nearby areas, including the Hobokense Polder, will be protected. The project combines heritage preservation, industrial redevelopment, and environmental care to ensure the pier remains safe and functional for years to come.
The pier was built in 1902 and originally connected pipelines to petroleum tanks on the industrial estate. It haas been a protected monument since 2016. The 300-meter-long structure has 14 brick piers finished with natural stone and a reinforced concrete bridge deck. The renovation will strengthen the pier and maintain its original architectural features.
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