Complex work with various disciplines at New Lock Terneuzen

The New Lock at Terneuzen provides a future-proof connection to the ports of Ghent and Terneuzen. Construction consortium Sassevaart -consisting of BAM (BAM Infra and BAM Contractors), DEME (DEME Infra Marine Contractors B.V. and Dredging International N.V.) and the Belgian construction company Algemene Aannemingen Van Laere N.V.-is working on this mega project and is calling on the materials and expertise of Vanderkamp Pumps, a specialist in customized solutions for temporary pumping installations.

A conversation with Rick van der Kamp, Wouter Potappel and Johan Rooijakkers of Vanderkamp Pumps, about the challenges and solutions in this large-scale project. "Definitely large-scale," begins Rick: "The lock will have a size of 427 x 55 x 16.44 meters, similar to the new locks in the Panama Canal."

Major role for pumps in earth moving and dredging operations

"In total, some 13 million m3 of soil is being moved," Johan continues. "That started with the first reclamation campaign to create new land. We supplied two of the 12 of our largest pumps to pump the salt return water that was pumped from the trailing suction hopper dredger into the tub with it completely autonomously, automatically and level-controlled back into the Westerschelde." 

Submersible pumps, booster pumps and diesel pumps

This successful campaign was followed by a series of other pumping operations. These included three large construction pits that were excavated both dry (to -11 m) and wet (to -22 m). Vanderkamp designed and realized the necessary pumping systems that provided the complete water management of the open water for construction consortium Sassevaart. Johan: "We used a siphon to fill the cofferdam after the dry excavation and one of our many tasks was to keep the cofferdam at the right level. We also used sand pumps, high-pressure jet water pumps, submersible pumps and booster pumps for a variety of tasks. Our online monitoring system allowed us to measure and record flow rates, pressures, water heights and production capacity during the dredging campaign." Wouter: "After construction consortium Sassevaart finished excavating, we also carried out various pumping operations for consortium Sassevaart during the realization of the inner and outer head of the lock, developing a suitable solution for each challenge. The client was surprised and charmed by our automated version of the pumping systems and our thinking along the broad lines of such a project. Meanwhile, we are many pumping actions for Nieuwe Sluis Terneuzen further and we are preparing and designing the pumping installations for the lock chamber."

Multidisciplinary work

"With such large and complex work, many disciplines come together," Rick says. "And that's where our added value really lies." Johan explains, "The dynamics on a project like this are so incredibly high. At Vanderkamp we are used to multidisciplinary work because we employ mechanical engineers, civil engineering specialists and electrical specialists, among others, with whom we fill in the interfaces between those disciplines. You are part of a chain so we understand the essence of a well-functioning pump, which is why our focus is always on quality." Wouter: "In addition, we are conveniently located in terms of location, which allows us to act at lightning speed. Time is crucial in all work so there is a physical advantage there."

Focus on quality, flexibility and transparency

Rick: "Being extremely well prepared in the preliminary phase, where it is sometimes necessary to invest, ensures a well-run project in which you can reduce failure costs to a minimum. We are very transparent about this and advise based on our enormous knowledge and experience in the field of pumps. We always look for the best solution for each specific project. We are also known for our flexibility in terms of people, materials and time." Wouter: "The unique and extremely pleasant collaboration within this project, has led us as a company to invest more in booster pumps and wear-resistant sand pumps. This demand from the market is increasing. Automatic remote control and monitoring is quite unique in this traditional market, but really an important development. By monitoring, the data you work with are much more reliable and you can steer planning and capacity together with the customer." Rick concludes, "Nieuwe Sluis Terneuzen is another great reference project which shows that Vanderkamp is the leading company providing solutions for innovative technical issues in the field of temporary pump installations."