Van Starkenborgh Canal

Van Starkenborgh Canal
Specifications
Length27 km (17 miles)
Maximum boat length135 m
Maximum boat draft3.5 m
Locks2
History
Date completed1 September 1937
Geography
Start pointPrinses Margriet Canal
End pointEems Canal in Groningen

The Van Starkenborgh Canal (Dutch: Van Starkenborghkanaal) is a canal in Groningen that connects the Prinses Margriet Canal with the Eems Canal. The canal is suitable for CEMT-Class Va (barges up tp 2,500t), and is part of the Lemmer–Delfzijl Waterway. It is getting upgraded to allow passage to barges with four layers of containers.

The improvement of the waterway between Lemmer and Groningen was above all a political challenge. Planning started in 1900, construction took place from 1922 to 1937. The original Van Starkenborgh Canal was dug between the Eems Canal and Noordhorn and named Van Starkenborgh Canal in 1938. At about the same time, a section of the Hoendiep west of this was upgraded to the same dimensions. In July 1949 this also received the name Van Starkenborgh Canal.