At the moment, ships travelling upstream to Antwerp have a depth of up to 15.56 m available to them. For sailing downstream new regulations were drawn up by the Common Nautical Authority, under which certain container carriers have up to 14.80 m available, tide-dependent, and depending also on their speed and sailing characteristics.

It is also expected that after the deepening work the maximum depth of container ships sailing downstream can be increased, permitting a downstream draught of at least 15 m, depending on the speed and sailing characteristics of the ship. It goes without saying that the hydrological and meteorological conditions play an important role. As in the past, the necessary investigations into these aspects will be carried out by the Agency for Maritime Services and Coast of the Flemish government. The new maximum permitted draughts after the deepening work will be determined gradually, on the basis of tests in the hydrological laboratory, test sailings and the experience gained.

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