In April 2025, Rijkswaterstaat started a pilot on the waterways between lock Empel and the port of Veghel. It involves the admission of ships with dimensions of 110 x 11.45 m x a maximum draft of 2 m.
The waterways are the Máximakanaal and part of the Zuid-Willemsvaart.
Goal of the Pilot between Lock Empel and Port Veghel
The canal is suitable for class IV ships. Users have long expressed a desire to navigate with larger volume ships on the canal. After extensive research, including simulations, this pilot was decided upon. More volume offers opportunities for less transport on the roads. Such a modal shift ensures that we better utilize our infrastructure.
Pilot
The pilot lasts for a year, during which regular monitoring will take place, both nautical and civil. The latter includes aspects such as the banks and canal bed. After the year, it will be assessed whether it is possible to permanently allow these types of ships on this section of the waterway.