Antwerp to install recreational pontoon at Bonapartedok

The City of Antwerp reached an agreement with Port of Antwerp-Bruges, by which the City takes over the operation of the bridges around the Eilandje area. The city government does this after a thorough study into the optimization of the functioning of the city port area. This spring, the city will also place a new pontoon at the Nieuwpoortkaai at the Museum At the Stream (MAS).

This pontoon not only contributes to the safety of the dock, but also creates additional possibilities for the Bonapartedok. These actions are part of the further development of the City Harbour Area or Stadshaven, as outlined in the City Port Plan 2020-2023.

On 10 July 2020, the Antwerp municipal government approved the Stadshavenplan 2020-2030. With this plan, the City of Antwerp wants to further develop the unique city port area on the basis of various projects.

As part of that plan, the City is taking over the operation of the various bridges and locks around the Eilandje from Port of Antwerp-Bruges.

The City of Antwerp is also installing a new pontoon at the Nieuwpoortkaai at the MAS, with which it will further focus on the repurposing of the Bonapartedok as a recreation and events dock.

That pontoon will be 40 meters long, connected to the quay via a footbridge, equipped with shore power and made of sustainable wood with an anti-slip function. The modified pontoon has a height of 50 centimeters and thus bridges the existing level difference between water and quay in a safe and comfortable way.

Improve accessibility

A thorough analysis of the maritime accessibility of the city port area, the mobility around this centrally located area and possible optimization of these factors led to an agreement between the City of Antwerp and the Port of Antwerp-Bruges. This agreement includes the transfer of the operation of the various bridges and locks around the Eilandje. This will ultimately lead to a more optimal operating model and increase the maritime accessibility of the marinas and smooth the flow of traffic over land.

A new pontoon for the further development of the Bonapartedok

The new pontoon in the Bonaparte dock near the Nieuwpoortkaai creates new opportunities for water experiences and water recreation, for the tour boats of ‘Antwerp Boat Tours‘ and for water taxis, and is a first step towards filling in the Bonapartedok as a recreation and events dock.

A concession was also recently launched for the construction and operation of a floating structure for water recreation in the city harbour.

The new mooring place contributes to the safety of the dock, by using the provided life-saving equipment to get holidaymakers and drowning people safely and smoothly back on land in the event of problems. The pontoon is also an additional mooring place for the security services and the multifunctional vessel ‘Cetacea‘ of the Stadshaven service.

Annick De Ridder (N-VA), alderman for Harbour and Urban development: “In this legislature, we want to bring the people of Antwerp closer to the Scheldt and docks. The transfer of the bridge operation from Port of Antwerp-Bruges to the city is good for optimizing the operation of the Stadshaven. There are no longer any economic port activities in this area. In short, just like the creation of a new pontoon, this initiative makes a smart contribution to the further development of the Stadshaven and the urban area in which it is located.”

Mayor Bart De Wever (N-VA): “With these adjustments we can offer a much more efficient service for both visiting pleasure craft and for road users who want to cross the bridges. The travel time from the Scheldt to the center of Antwerp will be considerably shortened. In addition, the Bonaparte dock at the MAS was recently repurposed as a recreation and events dock. In addition to the ongoing search for an operator of a swimming pool in the dock, the creation of an additional pontoon offers additional unique opportunities for water experience and recreation. In addition, safety in the dock is significantly increased with this pontoon.”