Port of Oostende fights to preserve crucial maritime route amid wind farm plans

By | 2024 Newsletter week 22 | No Comments

Port of Oostende is actively opposing the planned wind turbine park near Dunkirk, as it threatens the Dyckroute, a crucial maritime route linking Oostende with the UK. Despite diplomatic efforts, France persists with the project, jeopardising Oostende’s economic interests. The port demands an immediate halt or relocation of the project to protect navigation rights and regional economy. If unresolved, they urge the Belgian government to pursue international legal action against France.

Port of Oostende, once a busy ferry port, has new RoRo traffic linked to Toyota.

Port of Oostende Still Available for New Solid Ferry Projects

By | 2020 Newsletter week 17 | No Comments

In its annual report 2019 (in Dutch), the Port of Oostende still has the cruise & ferry sector as one of the five key pillars for its future. The Belgian port has a long ferry tradition, linking Continental Europe with the UK since more than one and a half century. However, the last ferry service stopped 6 years ago.

One threat to its future is the concession given by France to energy producer EDF, for the development of a wind farm on the historic ferry route. Having a wind energy parc on this place would jeopardise any future ferry route between Oostende and Dover.

The port authority keeps the possibility open to take legal steps to keep this historic route open and is supported by the Belgian Government.

The route can be seen on this maritime chart.