On 11 October, Their Majesties the Kings of the Netherlands and Belgium will jointly inaugurate the New Lock in Terneuzen. The event will also be attended by minister Madlener of infrastructure and water management, along with Flemish minister of mobility and public works, Peeters.

This collaborative opening highlights the cross-border significance of the New Lock in Terneuzen. The addition of this second, larger sea lock to the North Sea Port area is expected to enhance access and facilitate a more efficient flow of shipping from the Western Scheldt to the Ghent-Terneuzen Canal and beyond. The New Lock is anticipated to generate new economic activities in both the Zeeland-Flemish and Flemish regions, optimising the economic potential of the Canal Zone in both areas. The capacity of the North Sea locks will increase, allowing more vessels to transit simultaneously, thereby reducing waiting times for both seagoing and inland vessels.

During the official opening ceremony on the Z9, an electric ship, the two kings will engage in discussions with representatives from companies that utilize the North Sea locks in Terneuzen. Following this, they will proceed to the lock plateau of the New Lock, where they will receive insights into the construction and operation of the facility.

In the control building of the New Lock, the Kings will have conversations with local residents, volunteers from the Portaal van Vlaanderen information centre, and employees from the consortium responsible for the New Lock’s construction.

The New Lock project was undertaken on behalf of the Flemish-Dutch Scheldt Commission (VNSC), a collaboration between the Dutch ministry of infrastructure and water management and the Flemish department of mobility and public works. Construction commenced in 2017 within the existing lock complex in Terneuzen, where the Middle Lock, operational since 1910, was replaced by the New Lock. In 2023, approximately 56,000 ships transited through this lock complex, a figure projected to rise to 96,000 by 2040. Beyond facilitating maritime traffic, the lock complex serves as a crucial access route for road traffic and is an integral part of the primary water barrier.

For more information visit www.northseaport.com