North Sea Port plans new sustainable and future-oriented office on the Dutch-Belgian border in Sas van Gent and Zelzate

North Sea Port is preparing for the construction of a new, forward-looking head office right on the Dutch-Belgian border. With a landmark building in Sas van Gent and Zelzate, the port authority aims to bring all its employees together under one roof and strengthen its role as a decisive port authority.

The new head office will literally be located on the border between the Netherlands and Belgium, alongside the Ghent–Terneuzen Canal, at the Westkade-Beneluxlaan in Sas van Gent (Terneuzen) and Zelzate. This unique location requires close coordination with numerous authorities in both countries, as well as with local residents. At the same time, it offers the opportunity to create an office building that will serve as a regional landmark. For the Dutch-Flemish port authority, which manages the harbour, this cross-border site is more than merely symbolic.

The planned office will cover a total area of 4,000 to 5,000 m² and will meet strict sustainability standards. The design and construction will be assessed according to the internationally recognised BREEAM certification, which evaluates buildings on environmental performance, energy efficiency, future resilience, and health. With this, North Sea Port aims to realise one of the leading office buildings in both the Netherlands and Belgium.

At present, North Sea Port operates from two offices, in Terneuzen and Ghent. By consolidating all activities and services in a new office, the port authority will be able to work more efficiently and in a future-proof way. All departments will be housed under one roof, with a central reception, shared workspaces, and a modern Port Operations Centre focused on vessel traffic management and safety. This centralisation shortens communication lines and speeds up decision-making, improving internal operations while providing significant benefits to companies that rely on a decisive and well-organised port authority.

The new head office is scheduled for completion by the end of 2028. To achieve this, North Sea Port has been in dialogue for some time with local, provincial, and national authorities. Local residents in Sas van Gent and Zelzate are now being informed about the plans.

With this new office, North Sea Port is investing not only in its staff and in enhancing collaboration and services for businesses, but also in integrating the design into the surrounding landscape. The contemporary and sustainable office, together with its immediate environment, is intended to become a recognisable landmark that adds value for Sas van Gent and Zelzate, the provinces of Zeeland and East Flanders, and the wider cross-border region.

North Sea Port stretches over 60 kilometres, from Vlissingen and Terneuzen in the Netherlands to Ghent in Belgium. It ranks as the ninth-largest port in Europe in terms of seaborne cargo throughput and holds third place in terms of added value. With 550 companies and 106,000 direct and indirect jobs, the port is an important driver of employment, trade, and sustainable growth.

The port authority North Sea Port manages the port area with its 250 employees. Its responsibilities include vessel traffic management, safety and security, maintaining and developing new port infrastructure and industrial sites, energy supplies, sustainability of port activities and transport, and safeguarding a liveable environment.