Berendrecht Lock

Berendrecht Lock is a maritime lock facility in Antwerp where large cargo vessels transit between the sea and inland waterways. The structure houses four sliding gates for water control and is crossed by two bascule bridges that maintain road connectivity.

The lock opened in 1989 as the world's largest at that time, constructed to handle the new generation of Post-Panamax vessels. It replaced the older Zandvliet Lock and transformed Antwerp's capacity for international maritime trade.

The lock is woven into Antwerp's identity as a working port city where maritime activity shapes daily rhythms. Visitors notice how the facility connects the urban core to global shipping routes and industrial life.

The best place to watch vessels is from the shoreline, where you can see ships enter and exit throughout the day. The area is easy to reach and you can observe from the embankment or nearby bridges when traffic is active.

Though no longer the largest, it remains one of the biggest by volume and shows how rapidly shipping technology has evolved. Visitors are often surprised to learn how quickly such massive structures can become outdated.