Following a proposal by the Flemish Minister of Mobility and Public Works Lydia Peeters and the Flemish Minister of Justice and Enforcement, Environment, Energy and Tourism Zuhal Demir, the Flemish Government today gave its approval in principle to the preferred decision. That preferred decision will provide additional capacity for about 7.1 million containers at the port of Antwerp. This will be achieved by means of infill developments at existing docks, complemented by the development of one side of a new tidal dock creating new future prospects for Doel.
CP ECA
The CP ECA project is a complex project, which means that there is first an exploratory phase and start decision, then a study phase and preference decision and then the elaboration phase and project decision. Today, the Flemish Government has just adopted a preferred decision to create additional capacity to handle more than 7.1 million containers in the Port of Antwerp. Eight alternatives were originally examined, but the previous Flemish Government put a ninth alternative on the table, which was confirmed as the preferred alternative on 17 May 2019. With today's decision, the choice becomes final, having undergone a public inquiry between 8 June and 17 August 2019.
Flemish Minister of Mobility and Public Works, Lydia Peeters:
"With creating this additional capacity for containers, the Flemish government is banking on the future. By undertaking this project, we are therefore taking a new and important step with regard to the continued growth of the port of Antwerp and the expansion of the port of Antwerp in the form of a new tidal dock is even included in the wording of the Flemish coalition agreement."
"In doing so, we are also mindful of both mobility and liveability. This includes taking measures to achieve the proposed modal split for container transport, namely 43% trucks, 15% rail and 42% inland waterways. In addition, safeguards are provided to meet Flemish air targets and ensure that the project does not mortgage climate ambitions."
A clear choice is being made for the growth of the port of Antwerp and the Flemish economy, while retaining the maximum amount of open space.
The additional container capacity will largely be achieved by means of infill developments within the existing docks.
There will be room within the port for 3.5 million additional containers thanks to:
- A new harbour basin north of the Zandvliet Lock, next to the North Sea Terminal (0.9 million TEU)
- Expansion along the Waasland Canal, west of the Kieldrecht Lock (1.7 million TEU)
- Expansion along the Waasland Canal, to the east of the Kieldrecht Lock (0.9 million TEU)
Additional capacity will be created for a further 3.7 million containers by means of a new dock, which in this decision is only being developed along the south side.
The Flemish Environment Minister Zuhal Demir:
“This is an ambitious choice for the further growth of the port of Antwerp as one of the driving forces of our economy in Flanders: by implementing this project, we are therefore strengthening the port of Antwerp's position as the 2nd largest port in Europe. In addition, we are safeguarding open space as much as possible and are providing a further future for Doel. Also, the extent to which the project will involve cutting into nature is limited, compared to the alternatives that would have a much greater impact. Moreover, a nature compensation plan is in place for the areas of nature that will be affected and will be sited on areas of land owned by the Flemish Government."
Local mobility is also important. In particular, additional investments will be made in mobility measures in the Waasland area to avoid overloading the region. For example, a Spatial Implementation Plan (SIP) is being drawn up for the connection between the E34 and the N70. In addition, works are planned from 2021 onwards for the western access to the port on the left bank of the Scheldt (Waaslandhaven). Finally, it is intended that the additional containers will access the hinterland primarily by rail and barge, and not by heavy goods vehicles.
The file now is now on its way to the Council of State and will then be returned to the Flemish Government for final adoption. After that, the elaboration phase can begin, in which the preferred alternative will be further refined. Ultimately, this may lead to one or more project decisions or environmental permits.
MLSO sees benefits
Peter Van de Putte, General Manager of MLSO:
“The demand for additional space for the handling of containers is ever increasing, as we have almost reached the limit – as predicted. The fact that the Flemish Government today has confirmed the choice made by the previous Flemish Government is therefore a good thing. The combination of maximum infill (by utilising sites within the current port) and expansion with a new tidal dock here on the Left Bank should meet the need for container capacity until 2030. As MLSO, we will develop the logistical-industrial zones. Together with the Antwerp Port Authority and the Flemish Government, we are therefore building a bright future for the port on the left bank of the Scheldt as part of the port of Antwerp, as well as for the Waasland region."
Boudewijn Vlegels, Chairperson of MLSO:
“It is good that the modal split for container transport was explicitly included. The realisation of a western access to the port on the left bank of the Scheldt is also absolutely and urgently needed. Together with the works that form part of the Future Link (the Oosterweel connection, the adaptation of the E34, the Liefkenshoek Tunnel, etc.), it should after all untangle the current accumulation of traffic around the port on the left bank of the Scheldt. We cannot afford additional traffic flows without these measures being implemented. Moreover, keeping heavy traffic out of the surrounding village centres must be a top priority, especially in order to improve liveability in the surrounding municipalities and that, too, will require additional measures."
For more information on the complex project to create additional container handling capacity in the port of Antwerp area (CP ECA), visit www.extracontainercapaciteitantwerpen.be