The Port of Rotterdam Authority has completed the first phase of the Yangtzekanaal widening project and started work on the next stage of the development. The first phase included the construction of a new 500-metre tugboat quay with 12 berths and shore power facilities. The work also widened the southern side of the Yangtzekanaal over the same distance. The second phase is now underway. It includes the construction of a 1,450-metre quay wall west of the existing Antarcticakade. The project will add 20 new inland shipping berths equipped with shore power, increasing the total number of berths in the area to 30. The Yangtzekanaal provides access to the APMT Maasvlakte II and Rotterdam World Gateway (RWG) container terminals. Both terminals are expanding their capacity, increasing vessel traffic through the channel. The widening project will allow larger ships to pass safely and improve access to the Maasvlakte. The Port of Rotterdam Authority said the works will enable two-way traffic for container vessels of up to 24,000 TEU. To complete the project, contractors will dredge 1.4 million cubic metres of sand. The material will be reused for land reclamation on Maasvlakte 2. The new quay wall will also feature around 10,000 cubic metres of geopolymer concrete. The material contains no cement and reduces carbon emissions by around 50% compared with conventional concrete. According to the port authority, the project supports its strategy to make port infrastructure more sustainable while preparing Rotterdam for the next generation of ultra-large container vessels. The post First phase of Yangtzekanaal widening completed at Port of Rotterdam appeared first on Container News .