Can Antwerp hold back the Scheldt? A new flood-defence push on the southern quays
The Scheldekaaien between the Hobokense polder and the Petroleumkaai are being reinforced and raised as part of Flanders' long-running effort to shield Antwerp from North Sea storm surges — described by officials as an important step in protecting the city…
In 30 seconds
- The Scheldekaaien section between the Hobokense polder and the Petroleumkaai in southern Antwerp is being reinforced and its flood defence upgraded.
- Officials describe the works as an important step in protecting Antwerp against flooding.
- The project forms part of the Flemish Sigmaplan, managed by waterway authority De Vlaamse Waterweg.
- Antwerp's quay walls date from the 1870s-1880s straightening of the Scheldt and are being brought up to a modern flood-safety standard.
The Scheldekaaien are the historic quays lining the Scheldt through Antwerp. The section between the Hobokense polder (a nature reserve) and the Petroleumkaai, on the city's southern flank, is being reinforced and its flood defence raised. The work is part of the Sigmaplan, the Flemish flood-safety and nature programme for the Scheldt basin managed by De Vlaamse Waterweg, and is carried out in coordination with the City of Antwerp (Stad Antwerpen).
Background
Antwerp's straight quay walls date from the river's rechttrekking (straightening) between roughly 1877 and 1885. The modern Sigmaplan emerged after a severe North Sea storm surge in the 1970s exposed the vulnerability of the Scheldt basin, and was substantially updated in 2005 to combine higher flood defences with controlled flood areas and nature restoration. The Scheldekaaien renovation has since proceeded zone by zone.
What to do
Residents and businesses near the southern quays should expect construction activity and possible access changes during the works, while gaining stronger long-term flood protection for the Antwerp waterfront.
Impact
Regional — For Antwerp and the wider Flemish Scheldt region, the works advance a defence line that protects densely populated riverside districts. In the near term residents and businesses along the southern quays face construction and possible access disruption; in the long term they gain a stronger barrier against storm tides.
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- Retrieved by ODIN:
- 11 Aug 2026
- Publication date unavailable
- Retrieved by ODIN:
- 11 Aug 2026
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