Construction transport for new University Library now by water

A sustainable and innovative form of transport is being introduced for the last construction phase of the new University Library (UB) in the University Quarter. From today until the end of the project in 2023, almost all the building materials will be transported by water. This is a major innovation in construction transport for both the University of Amsterdam (UvA) and the City of Amsterdam, because a large-scale building project not located directly by a quayside is now being supplied by way of water. Innovative and sustainable. A transhipment point has been set up on Grimburgwal for loading and unloading the floating platform, powered by green electricity, that travels between Neptunushaven and Grimburgwal. Small electric trolleys are then used to move the materials from Grimburgwal to their destination at the new UB at the Binnengasthuisterrein (ca. 100 metres away). This means that the entire transport process is powered sustainably by 100% green electricity, while handling 95% of the logistical construction transport. Since the construction no longer suffers delays due to traffic congestion in the Amsterdam city centre, this waterborne transport is now also more efficient. The Chair of the UvA Executive Board, Geert ten Dam, is proud that this allows the UvA to contribute to sustainable and innovative transport: 'Together with other parties such as the City of Amsterdam, BINX and Zoev City, we're benefiting the city and promoting sustainability.' Building contractor BINX Smartility, responsible for the final construction phase of the UB, is realising this waterborne transport together with Zoev City, which is supplying the project with electric barges. Nicole Groothuis, team leader at BINX: 'We can transport an average of 60 tonnes on every trip with the Zoev barge, that's equal to two full lorries.' Collaboration between UvA and City of Amsterdam