In the world of water management and ports, many challenges are central. The AMORAS project, a collaboration between Port of Antwerp-Bruges and the Flemish government, is a good example. This project aims to tackle sludge problems in the port. Our Industrial Cleaning discipline had a clear goal here: efficiently releasing sludge from one of the water reservoirs.

The project

AMORAS, which stands for Antwerp Mechanical Dewatering, Recycling and Application of Sludge, is a partnership between the Flemish government and the Port Authority of Antwerp. It aims to provide a sustainable and long-term solution for the disposal and processing of maintenance dredging spoil. The facility is located within the port area on the right bank of the Scheldt, between Kanaaldok B1 and the A12 motorway.

Our contribution

Water from the Scheldt passes through several treatment stages. In one of these phases, the water is led directly into a reservoir. This is where the problem arises: when the water is pumped out, sludge is left behind. When we were asked to draw up a plan to remove the sludge, we immediately set to work. With a well-thought-out plan and a motivated team, we started. We used several high-pressure units to loosen the silt. By adding extra water, the loosened sludge was directed to a dredge pump, which then pumped it to another storage for further processing.

In short, our part in the AMORAS project shows that with determination and the right approach, challenges can be overcome. We are proud of our contribution and look forward to using our experience in future projects.