Conservation of duckweed gates and sluice gates Afsluitdijk

To continue protecting the Netherlands from sea flooding in the future, the Afsluitdijk has been raised and reinforced. The work was carried out on behalf of Rijkswaterstaat by the construction consortium Levvel, consisting of Bam, van Oord, Rebel, and Invesis. Levvel has also been commissioned to maintain the dike for the next 25 years.

The new sluice gates at Den Oever will be equipped with no less than 16 gigantic gates, each 12 meters wide, 9 meters high, and weighing 45 tons. These impressive structures, larger than an average house, will soon separate the waters of the IJsselmeer and the Wadden Sea and help protect the Netherlands from high water.

SealteQ plays a crucial role in ensuring the sustainability and long-term protection of these essential structures. Our specialists have carefully conserved the weed racks and sluice gates, executing every step of the process—from cleaning to coating—with the highest precision. The corrosion protection we have applied is vital for the long lifespan of the steel components, especially in the harsh, humid conditions in which they are used.

On September 16, 2024, the first sluice gates were transported from our blasting cabin in Bergum via the Frisian inland waterways and the Wadden Sea to Den Oever. Just a day later, on September 17, the first two gates were successfully installed using the floating crane Hebo Lift 7. This marked an important milestone in the project, as the installation of these giant gates can only take place under favorable weather conditions.

With this project, we strengthen the position of the Netherlands as a leader in water management and infrastructure. The Afsluitdijk has been a symbol of Dutch engineering for almost a century, and with the new sluice gates and the immense pumping station, this icon is being prepared for the future.

Source: Rijkswaterstaat and construction consortium Levvel – photographer Jan Wessels