North Sea Port: cross-border cooperation in and around the port in action

On Tuesday 1 April, representatives of the Dutch and Flemish governments met up in Ghent. Cross-border cooperation was the main topic of discussion at this government summit. Cooperation with North Sea Port was also discussed. Major developments are therefore expected in the coming years.

Minister Sofie Hermans and the Dutch delegation met their Flemish colleagues, including Minister-President Matthias Diependaele, in the Book Tower in Ghent. In this seventh edition of the government summit, both countries discussed their bilateral cooperation, with North Sea Port being cited as a successful model.

Since the merger on 1 January 2018, the Zeeland ports (Vlissingen and Terneuzen) and the port of Ghent have together formed North Sea Port. As a unified Dutch-Flemish port, we are working across borders on the economic, infrastructural and sustainable development of the border region. A number of these developments are high on the agenda for the coming years.

On 11 October last year, the Nieuwe Sluis in Terneuzen was officially opened by the kings of the Netherlands and Belgium. This new gateway facilitates the passage of larger seagoing vessels and inland shipping. In a next step – after the necessary test voyages – the canal needs to be optimised so that larger, wider seagoing vessels can make full use of it. We make no secret of the fact that we would very much like to see a deeper canal with a draught of 14.5 metres for ships, extending to the bulk cargo port in Terneuzen. This is about two kilometres beyond the lock and technically feasible to deepen in the short term. This is not only safer, but also cost-effective, as lightering on the Westerschelde will no longer be necessary. The port authority is also looking forward to the next step, which will allow 43-metre-wide ships to sail from the Nieuwe Sluis to the Kluizendok and Rodenhuizedok in Ghent. These wide ships offer many logistical advantages for businesses.

To accelerate the energy transition in the port area, substantial investments are being made in infrastructure. Gasunie and Fluxys are working on national hydrogen networks in the Netherlands and Belgium. In North Sea Port, these networks will be connected at the border, creating one of the first cross-border hydrogen networks with open access in Europe. This project underscores the joint commitment to sustainable energy supply and industrial innovation.

Zelzate is a strategic hub connecting Flanders with the Netherlands. It is the convergence point for major infrastructure projects, such as roads, railways, pipelines and waterways. An integrated approach is necessary to improve quality of life and optimally coordinate spatial developments.

Three major projects are central to this:

1. Rail Ghent-Terneuzen: The extension of the railway line along John Kennedylaan in Ghent towards the Axelse Vlakte in the Netherlands. The necessary budgets have been allocated, with priority given to freight transport, but passenger transport is also being investigated.
2. Ring Road R4: The Tractaactweg in the Netherlands has been rebuilt. Both R4s south of the E34 are currently being rebuilt. The R4-East in Zelzate is the connection between the Tractaatweg and the E34 and R4-East junction. For a smooth and safe traffic situation in Zelzate and the port, the reconstruction of this section of the R4-East in Zelzate is also essential.
3. New Zelzate tunnel: The current tunnel, which is over 60 years old, is showing signs of wear and tear. A deeper tunnel is crucial for both shipping on the Ghent-Terneuzen Canal and for road transport between Flanders and the Netherlands, and between our port and the Port of Antwerp-Bruges.

The further economic and infrastructural development of the cross-border port area is essential for maintaining and growing our businesses, attracting investment and achieving climate targets. In a changing geopolitical context, North Sea Port contributes to a stronger and more autonomous Europe.

As the second cross-border port merger in Europe – after Copenhagen and Malmö – we are setting a standard for international cooperation. North Sea Port offers an inspiring model for bilateral cooperation and continues to build the future together with the Dutch and Flemish governments.