The first of eight massive sections of the Scheldt Tunnel, part of the Oosterweel link, left the construction quay in Zeebrugge for Antwerp by ship on Friday.
The convoy has to cover 100 kilometres to reach Antwerp.
The operation required meticulous preparation, accounting for weather conditions, wind strength, swell, currents, and tides. Transport could only begin when all these parameters were favourable at departure time and throughout the journey.
Simulations were conducted to prepare the skippers for this operation. The crew had already navigated the route several times virtually.
Four tugboats and a pusher boat could be seen transporting the 160-metre long, 60,000-tonne tunnel section towards its destination, the Doel Quay in the Port of Waasland in Antwerp, which has been designated as a waiting area.
According to the current schedule, at least two more tunnel sections will depart in June.
By the end of August, all elements are expected to have left Zeebrugge.
