This project involved implementing remote operation for all locks and hydropower stations along the 129 km Albertkanaal. A new control centre in Hasselt now manages six lock complexes and associated facilities, marking a significant step towards innovation and efficiency in waterway management in Flanders.

Project description

De Vlaamse Waterweg is rolling out a long-term programme to manage all movable bridges and locks from three central remote control centres. The Project Afstandsbediening Albertkanaal, led by Michiel Coopman, is a key milestone in this plan.

The project equipped six lock complexes, each with three large locks and hydropower stations, for remote operation. Local control was replaced by a centralised system, monitored from Hasselt. This transition required modernisation of infrastructure, technical integration, and creation of a safe and efficient control room environment.

The scale of the project makes Flanders an international pioneer in the automation of waterway infrastructure. Its scope required minimising disruption to shipping, managing parallel system rollouts, and coordinating closely with internal teams and external partners. Particular attention was paid to balancing uniformity across sites with respect for the specific characteristics of each lock complex.

This initiative directly supports the strategic goals of safer, more efficient shipping and improved use of personnel through corridor management and automation.

Project management excellence

As Head of the Unit Telematics, I coordinated the planning, execution, and stakeholder management for this large-scale transformation. The project began with a traditional work package structure but evolved into a network model that balanced the autonomy and expertise of multiple teams with the need for shared outcomes.

Stakeholder engagement was critical. Extensive dialogue was held with operators, ensuring that technical requirements were reconciled with workplace safety and comfort. A significant cultural change was managed, as operators moved from local, visible operation to managing multiple sites remotely through advanced technology.

The collaborative approach fostered broad support, high levels of satisfaction, and efficiency gains, while reducing resistance to change.

Project outcomes and impact

The remote operation now enables 24/7 management of locks and hydropower stations on the Albertkanaal. Staff can be deployed more efficiently, and corridor management allows for smoother planning of vessel journeys across longer stretches. This delivers shorter travel times and greater efficiency in the logistics sector.

The project also strengthened internal collaboration across departments and units within De Vlaamse Waterweg, fostering more dialogue, understanding, and teamwork. Managing this initiative has broadened my experience in complex system integration, organisational change, and stakeholder-centred project delivery.