Key words

Bascule bridge: with a bascule bridge the bridge deck opens and closes as a result of rotating around the pivot so the bridge is (roughly) balanced between the weight of the bridge deck and the counterweight, hence it takes less energy to open and close the bridge. A bascule bridge operates exactly the same way as a “bascule” that used to be used for weighing. The bridge deck is suspended on one side of the pivot and the counterweight on the other.
Berendrecht Lock: in operation since 1989, the Berendrecht Lock is situated in the northern part of the Port of Antwerp, on the right bank of the Scheldt. 500 metres long, 68 metres wide and 13.58 metres deep, it is the largest shipping lock in the world. It serves as a model for the new lock due to be built on the left bank of the Scheldt. Just to the south of the Berendrecht Lock is located the Zandvliet Lock, which is just as long but less wide. The two together represent the northernmost lock complex of the Port of Antwerp.
Bottom rails: found at the bottom of the lock, bottom rails act as rail tracks for the support wagon on which the huge lock gate travels back and forth.
Culverts: the lock and the adjacent water surface are connected via the culverts according to the communicating vessels principle. The culverts allow the water to enter or leave the lock so the water level in the lock chamber rises or falls. And just like during a science class when the water levels in both tubes are the same, the water level in the lock is the same as the adjacent water level. This is achieved by sometimes opening the culverts on the Scheldt side (when a vessel travels between the lock and the Scheldt) and sometimes on the port docks side (when a vessel travels between the lock and dock).
Deurganck Dock: a container tidal dock in the Port of Antwerp, the Deurganck Dock is located on the left bank of the Scheldt, in Waasland Port. Owing to its status as a tidal dock, vessels are able to enter the Scheldt directly without having to pass through a lock. Container terminals are accommodated in the Deurganck Dock.
Doel Dock: One of the Port of Antwerp docks on the left bank of the Scheldt, Doel Dock forms part of Waasland Port. Part of the dock is used for disposing of dredging material so the land may presently be deployed again for other purposes.
EIR (environmental impact report): an environmental impact report is a public document that reports on how a planned activity affects the environment: the environmental implications for people, plants, animals, goods, water, soil, air, monuments, nature and the landscape. It factors in temporary and permanents effects, while listing the mitigating measures. An EIR is used to assess the impact of a planned project and compare the environmental impact of alternatives. As for the difference between an EIR Plan and an EIR Project, in the case of an EIR Plan various approaches or options are weighed up, whereas a EIR Project is used to consider the impact a specific project has on the environment, people and the landscape, but no consideration is given to various major situations or alternatives.
For further details see www.mervlaanderen.be.
European Birds Directive: designed to protect all bird species in Europe, the European Birds Directive seeks to preserve bird species naturally occurring in the wild state and specifies that sufficient breeding, moulting and wintering areas have to be protected. Pursuant to the Birds Directive, Flanders, in common with all the Member States, has designated protected areas, the so-called “special protection areas”.
Flemish Government Architect: the Flemish Government Architect oversees major new developments or renovation projects in Flanders. The official also lends support to public bodies when they seek to create a new building and, for example, have to choose between various designs. The present Flemish Government Architect is Marcel Smets.
For further details see www.vlaams-bouwmeester.be
Flemish Port Commission: the Flemish Port Commission is required to make a contribution to the preparations for the port policy. It provides advisory opinions, makes recommendations and also has a study and fact-finding mission.
For further details see www.serv.be/vhc.
Gate recess: the gate recess is the chamber where the lock gate is stored when not used to close the lock. This happens when the lock gate is opened to allow a vessel through but may also occur for maintenance or repair work, whereupon the gate chamber is ingeniously closed and pumped out. The lock gate is therefore no longer standing in the water so it is easy to maintain.
Kallo Lock: operating since 1979, Kallo Lock is 360 metres long and 50 metres wide. Kallo Lock is the only one on the left bank of the Scheldt in the Port of Antwerp. Consequently, it is presently the sole inlet and outlet for vessels calling in at Waasland Port.
Lock building: located near to the lock the lock building is the place where the lock and the related bridges are operated. Staff in the lock building are in contact at all times with vessels that sail in the direction of the lock
Lock chamber: the lock chamber in a lock is the space between the two lock gates where vessels wait to be transferred.
Lock gate/Rolling gate: the lock gates are gates for shutting the lock so the water cannot just flow in and out. When the lock gates are closed the water level in the lock can be regulated. The second lock in Waasland Port will have rolling or sliding gates travelling back and forth over rails during the opening and closing.
Mediterranean gull: the Mediterranean gull (larus melanocephalus) is one of the larger gulls with a black head and can be up to 37 cm long. It has white plumage with a coal-black head cap, whereas its wings and back are pearl grey. The Mediterranean gull breeds in open and dry lowlands with scarce vegetation, close to water
Natterjack toad: the natterjack toad (epidalea calamita) is a fairly large toad with remarkably short legs so it does not jump much but it can achieve fast speeds when running. The natterjack toad is at the most 7 cm long. It can be easily recognised from the thin yellow stripe on its back, which is greyish-brown with dark and light patches. The natterjack toad is primarily found in dune and heath areas and sites such as old clay excavations, abandoned sand quarries or sand-sprayed industrial and port areas.
Port of Antwerp: spread over the right and left bank of the Scheldt, the Port of Antwerp is the second leading port in Europe. The Port of Antwerp handled over 189 million tonnes of goods in 2008. The seagoing vessels arriving from all corners of the world carry all kinds of goods, including, bananas, sugar, clothing, coal, cars and steel. A lot of these goods are carried on containers. Antwerp is also the main hub for Europe's chemical and petrochemical industry.
Quay wall: the docks and terminals in the port are bordered by quay walls on the waterfront. These are sturdy L-shaped concrete structures on which bollards are established so that seagoing vessels can moor there.
SCBA (social cost-benefit analysis): in the same way that investors make a cost-benefit analysis, a social cost-benefit analysis seeks to determine the return on an investment for the whole of society. An SCBA calculates both the costs and benefits of a specific policy /project from the perspective of society as a whole and weighs these against each other. To this end the costs and benefits must be quantified.
For further details see www.lne.be/themas/beleid/milieueconomie/kosten-batenanalyses.
Ship operator: a ship operator is responsible for fitting out and operating a vessel. The ship operator does not necessarily own the vessel but may also charter it from the shipowner
Ship's agent: As a ship's captain does not know all the procedures in an unfamiliar port, the shipping company appoints a local representative: the ship's agent. This official is required to assist the captain: the agent deals with all the ship and loading formalities with the pilot services, the port authority, the customs, the freight forwarders, the goods shippers and recipients, the dispatching agents, etc. The ship's agent also defends the interests of the crew. The official arranges for medical assistance and orders stocks and provisions for the vessel
Side wall: the lock wall.
TAW: the “Tweede Algemene Waterpassing” or “TAW" (Second General Levelling) is the reference height used in Belgium to express heights and height measurements. A TAW of 0 is equal to the average sea level during the ebb tide/low tide in Ostend. At 694 metres over the TAW the Signal de Botrange in the High Fens is the highest point in Belgium.
Towing: tug boats are used to help with manoeuvring so a large vessel can be safely conducted in and out of the lock. Tugboats also guide vessels when they are travelling on the Scheldt and during their trip to and from the port quay.
Transfer: vessels proceeding through the lock to reach the docks from the Scheldt or vice versa are "transferred".
upper support wagon, bottom support wagon): The support wagon is for sliding the lock gate open or shut. The support wagon travels over rails that are placed towards this end on the bottom and on the wall of the gate chamber. The lock rests on a bottom support wagon that travels at the bottom of the gate chamber and is guided by a upper support wagon which travels at the top end of the gate chamber against the wall.
Water screen: water retaining fence in the the clay layer to prevent ground water flow dewatering the trench to build the lock.