SHIP: the Making of the World’s Biggest Sea Lock



After having functioned for almost a century, the Noorder Lock in IJmuiden needs to be replaced: it’s too small to accommodate the large new sea ships. That’s why in 2016 the construction of the largest sea lock in the world started. The new 500 meters long, 70 meters wide and 18 meters deep lock guarantees large ships a safe passage through the North Sea Canal, even when the tide is low. The lock will be in function from the end of 2019 and from then on the Amsterdam harbour will be accessible once again all hours of the day. Thus the harbour region of Amsterdam, Zaanstad, Beverwijk, and IJmuiden will maintain its position as a global harbour as well as its international allure.

IJmuiden is home of the SHIP, the Lock Harbour Information Point. Visiting the construction site is impossible as the construction takes place on a small surface and mostly under water. This is why SHIP was developed: visitors can monitor the constructions and watch the permanent exhibition featuring a maquette of the lock complex and historic stories of lock keepers.