Post-Panamax seagoing vessels
In the fourth quarter of 2024, post-Panamax seagoing vessels will have access to the Ghent-Terneuzen Canal via this new lock. Post-Panamax seagoing vessels:
- are 366 metres long
(more than 100 metres longer than the vessels that are now able to pass through the lock) - have a beam of 49 metres
(one third wider) - draw 14.5 metres deep
(when the Ghent-Terneuzen Sea Canal will have been deepened)
Nieuwe sluis Terneuzen
The Nieuwe Sluis is not only necessary because seagoing vessels keep on getting bigger (which is also true for inland vessels). It is also useful to guarantee that the Ghent-Terneuzen Canal stays easily accessible in case the Westsluis (until now still the only lock for seagoing vessels) should fall out. It also takes care of the increasingly busy navigation at the lock complex: both inland and seagoing navigation. This way, waiting times can be avoided as much as possible.
Owing to the development of the Nieuwe Sluis, the nautical access to the Canal Zone remains in line with worldwide navigation.
Companies in Terneuzen and Ghent will be able to bring in more goods with one move, which lowers the logistics expenses and is of benefit to the companies’ competitiveness. With the Nieuwe Sluis, companies will stand on strong ground in the market.
More information
Do you wish to know more about the construction of the Nieuwe Sluis? Or view the construction progress? Just take a look at the website or webcam.
