From Monday 21st of April until the end of September 2025, you can admire an impressive spectacle in the Scheldt area. From the Scaldia port in Vlissingen-East, huge caissons – floating concrete building blocks 57 metres long, 28 metres wide and 13.2 metres deep – will set off towards the future Princess Elisabeth Island. The caissons will remain some 10 metres above water (9.73 metres). 

 "These behemoths will soon form the foundation of the island. You can compare them to giant Lego blocks that – once in place – will form part of the island at sea," says Jur Janse, Dutch Head of Service at the Joint Nautical Authority (JNA). "Together with the stakeholders we discussed the conditions so that shipping remains safe: four powerful tug boats pull the caissons out of the harbour about one hour after high tide in Vlissingen. A pilot is present during this towing transport. Then they'll sail in the direction of the project site."

Are you out and about on the water? Keep a close eye on the Scheldt Shipping Notices (SSN). The Vlissingen and Zeebrugge traffic centres ensure safe passage and may take temporary measures.