On 11 October 2024, King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands and King Philippe of Belgium jointly inaugurated the New Lock in Terneuzen, marking a significant milestone for cross-border cooperation between the Netherlands and Belgium. This new sea lock, one of the largest in the world, will enhance maritime access between the North Sea and the Ghent-Terneuzen Canal, reducing waiting times for vessels and boosting economic activity in the Zeeland Flanders and Flanders regions.
The lock is expected to handle increasing traffic, with ship passages projected to grow from 56,000 in 2023 to 96,000 by 2040. The opening ceremony, held aboard the electric ship Z9, included interactions with representatives of companies using the lock, as well as a tour of the control centre where local residents and lock employees shared insights into its operations.
Photo: North Sea Port
