Real-time simulations ensure safe transport of Oosterweel Tunnel elements

AuthorsBoomaars, G.

Conference/JournalMARIN Report 145

Date5 Dec 2025

Following years of preparation and planning, one of Belgium’s most ambitious infrastructure projects—the completion of the Antwerp ring road—is making solid progress. At the heart of this development lies the Oosterweel Tunnel, a new connection across the River Scheldt. MARIN was commissioned to conduct advanced, real-time transport simulations.

The immersed tunnel stretches 1,280 metres and is composed of eight massive tunnel elements, each measuring 159 x 41 x 10 metres. The tunnel will accommodate six car lanes (three in each direction) and have a dedicated bicycle path, significantly improving mobility near Antwerp.

Contact

Gerwin Boomaars

project manager

All the tunnel elements were constructed in Zeebrugge but had to be transported to Antwerp via a demanding 60-nautical-mile maritime route. To ensure safe and precise execution, the project consortium ‘Temporary Partnership Combination Oosterweel Tunnel’ (TM COTU), in collaboration with Lantis, asked MARIN to perform these complex transport simulations.

Five interconnected simulators

The setup consisted of five interconnected simulators working simultaneously to simulate the entire transport operation in real time. In a period of one year, three extensive simulation sessions were conducted to study the entire trajectory, towing configuration and operational limitations. To ensure safe and precise execution, the project consortium ‘Temporary Partnership Combination Oosterweel Tunnel’ (TM COTU), in collaboration with Lantis, asked MARIN to perform these complex transport simulations.

Departure from the construction dock in Zeebrugge