The Nieuwe Sluis Lock in Terneuzen Opens to Shipping
The Nieuwe Sluis lock in Terneuzen, part of the North Sea Port, has opened to all shipping 10 months after its royal inauguration., reports 24brussels.
This lock, one of the largest globally, enhances accessibility to ports in the hinterland, allowing larger vessels measuring up to 366 meters in length and 49 meters in width to navigate the Ghent-Terneuzen canal—previously limited to high tide conditions. The development is set to significantly boost the capacity of the complex and enhance maritime safety.
However, the canal requires dredging in certain areas, with the passage width temporarily restricted to approximately 40 meters. Additionally, the motorway tunnel beneath the canal in Zelzate, East Flanders, limits vessels to a maximum draft of 12.5 meters, despite the lock accommodating ships with drafts of up to 14.5 meters.
Discussions are ongoing between Flanders and the Netherlands regarding further modifications to the canal to maximize its operational potential.
The Nieuwe Sluis was inaugurated in October 2024 in the presence of King Philippe and King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands. While the opening ceremony garnered significant public and diplomatic attention, the lock was not immediately ready for regular use.
Technical challenges, including insufficiently strong bridges and unexpected mixing of salt and fresh water during lockage, contributed to months of delays. As a result, extensive adjustments and test runs were necessary before the lock could be utilized effectively.
Since the spring, trial operations have been conducted successfully, with dozens of vessels transiting the lock. Training for boat operators, skippers, pilots, and towage services was coordinated with North Sea Port and De Vlaamse Waterweg, which oversees Flanders’ waterways.
The lock plays a pivotal role in the development of North Sea Port, which encompasses the ports of Ghent, Terneuzen, and Vlissingen.
Strategic Link
Two-thirds of the Ghent port area is accessible only via the Ghent-Terneuzen canal, and the previous lock had become inadequate for contemporary seagoing vessels. The new structure took seven years to complete, costing approximately €1.2 billion, with around €500 million funded by the Flemish government. Given the lock’s primary benefits for the port of Ghent, Flanders bore most of the construction expenses.
Furthermore, the European Union contributed funding through its Trans-European Transport Network program, recognizing the Nieuwe Sluis as a crucial European transport link.
