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Seine-Scheldt project

In future, inland vessels will be able to navigate even further from North Sea Port into the interior of France – all the way to Paris, in fact. This is made possible by the Seine-Scheldt project: the extension of the European inland waterway connection between the Seine and Scheldt basins. This is a real alternative to goods transport on the road.
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  2. Doing business
  3. Optimisation of hinterland connections
  4. Seine-Scheldt project

At the moment, only inland vessels in the 400-600 tonne range can reach Paris, and only via small, often outdated waterways with numerous locks. 

The route is expected to be navigable for vessels of up to 4,500 tonnes by 2030. This will benefit North Sea Port as well. In effect, the Seine-Scheldt project will turn North Sea Port into a fully-fledged Seine port: an outport for the Paris region and its 10 million inhabitants. 

Seine-Scheldt project: Belgian and French portions 

Belgian portion: 45 km on the Leie and 26 km around Ghent (total of 71 km). 

  • Water depth: 4.5 metres
  • draught: 3.5 metres
  • 3 layers of containers on an inland vessel. 


French portion: North Seine project. The construction of a new canal in France, between Compiègne and Cambrai. 

  • Length: 106 km
  • water depth: 4.5 metres
  • max. draught of inland vessels: 3.5 metres
  • 7 locks and 3 bridges to be built. 
Read more about this project on the (Dutch) website of Seine Scheldt.

Hinterland connections

Venster Sluiten