The second phase of the major renovation of the Rozenburg Lock (Rozenburgsesluis) is now underway, setting the stage for the lock to be operated remotely for the first time in its history.
Currently managed on-site 24/7 by lock keepers employed by the Port of Rotterdam Authority, the lock handles approximately 20,000 vessels each year highlighting its critical role in the port’s inland shipping network.
This next phase of the project will be carried out by Vialis, which has also been contracted for the lock’s long-term maintenance. A formal agreement was signed this week by Berte Simons, Chief Operating Officer of the Port of Rotterdam Authority, and Max Moerke, Managing Director of Vialis.
The first phase, completed in 2024, focused on the renovation of the northern fender piles. In this new stage, Vialis will undertake a full-scale overhaul of the entire lock complex.
This includes the lock chamber and gates, both bridges, control and operating systems, associated buildings, and surrounding outdoor areas.
The lock will be temporarily closed for six months in 2026 to facilitate the construction work. Once the renovation is completed in 2027, the lock will be operated remotely by the Harbour Master’s Division from the Rotterdam Traffic Center.
Located on Neckarweg near the village of Rozenburg, the lock connects the Calandkanaal and the Hartelkanaal, serving as a vital corridor for inland navigation.
Christiaan van Es, Project Manager at Vialis, noyed that this is a comprehensive, integrated project at a strategic intersection of shipping and road traffic. For both commercial and operational users, reliable renovation planning is essential with safety as our highest priority.
The Rozenburg Lock renovation represents a forward-looking investment in both infrastructure and operational efficiency, securing its role in supporting the Port of Rotterdam’s long-term competitiveness and sustainability goals.
