Antwerp (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – 5 Antwerp fire zones conducted a major Albert Canal drill, pumping 4,000 litres per minute. About 50 firefighters, led by Captain Bart Leenaerts, tested long-distance pumping, hoses, and coordination.
As VRT News reported, firefighters from the 5 Antwerp zones carried out a major provincial drill on the Albert Canal between Zandhoven and Grobbendonk. Crews pumped water from the canal at a rate of 4,000 litres per minute, equal to more than 1000 gallons each minute.
To prevent waste, the water was released back into the canal 3 kilometres downstream. Captain Bart Leenaerts of the Rand Fire Zone said the drill allowed all districts to test long-distance pumping, equipment links and shared procedures without lowering the water level in the canal.
“The exercise is useful when major firefighting operations are required, for example, in the case of a natural or industrial fire, when we have no other water sources nearby.”
Bart Leenaerts, captain of the Fire Brigade Zone Rand.
How did Antwerp fire zones handle a 4,000L/Min drill amid a canal oil spill?
Several firefighting scenarios were tested today, Sep 24, 2025, during a large provincial exercise on the Albert Canal between Zandhoven and Grobbendonk.
“We studied these scenarios in theory; now we must see if they can work in practice,”
said Captain Bart Leenaerts. The pace of the drill was kept slow to ensure that no detail was overlooked.
Fire crews practised drafting water, running long relay lines, linking pumps and hoses, and monitoring pressure. About 50 people took part in the operation, including drone pilots who recorded the entire exercise.
“It’s important to practice with all the zones together, so we learn to deploy our equipment together. Coordination is also essential,”
says Leenaerts.
Leenaerts reported that the exercise has gone smoothly so far, though the use of different hose sizes remains a concern. Varying diameters can lead to bottlenecks and reduce water pressure in the system. There is also a chance of hose breaks or coupling failures during high flow.
Crews are testing adapters, pressure relief valves and backup lines to manage those risks. The exercise was organised by the 5 Antwerp fire zones with logistical and technical support from Civil Protection.
“We can learn from this footage and use it later in training,”
concludes Leenarts.
On August 21, 2025, a semi-autonomous barge called River Drone 4 released about 10,000 litres of fuel oil into the Albert Canal near Antwerp in Belgium. Local authorities and marine services reacted quickly, launching a cleanup operation and temporarily stopping traffic on the canal.
The spill happened after the barge passed through the Olen lock complex, and the leak was contained soon after. The canal’s layout prevented the oil from reaching Antwerp’s municipal water supply because the spill occurred upstream of the city’s intake point.
Cleanup crews used containment methods and sorbent booms to absorb the oil, allowing marine traffic to reopen by 2:00 PM on August 22, 2025. The spill forced the temporary closure of the Mars Food factory in Olen due to strong fumes. Belgian authorities are drilling for this type of incident.
