Background

It became clear back in 2017 that more freight rail capacity between Ghent and Terneuzen will be needed in the future. This due to the expected growth of the North Sea Port port area and the shift of transport from road to rail (modal shift). 

Between 2017 and 2020 eleven cross-border preliminary studies  were conducted to examine the bottlenecks. In 2021 several Belgian and Dutch authorities signed a letter of intent for the project. As of 2023 Infrabel and ProRail are working together with North Sea Port in the Rail Ghent Terneuzen project organisation. 

Sluiskilbrug trein

Targets

Target 1

Making the rail network ready for the future.

We want to create more capacity on the freight track and make sure the rail network is stronger and more reliable. This will ensure that rail is, and remains, attractive to use for companies in the port area.

Target 2

Promoting sustainable transport

We want to ensure that transport can increasingly take place by rail instead of road. This is how we contribute to modal shift.

Doel 3

Improving cross-border connections

Our ambition is to improve rail connections between Belgium and the Netherlands. But we will also make figurative connections between countries, people, and the project partners.

Target 4

Contributing to broad prosperity

Rail Ghent Terneuzen focuses on broad prosperity. This means that the project enables economic growth of the (port) area and also considers health, climate and environment, nature and a high-quality living environment. 

Map English Rail Ghent Terneuzen

Resolving bottlenecks

Rail freight transport is expected to grow, but the current rail network between Ghent and Terneuzen cannot handle that growth. A preliminary study in 2018 showed that there are bottlenecks in several places that could inhibit growth. We will work with specialised agencies to examine how to solve these bottlenecks. Bottlenecks are, among others, expected at the following locations: 

  • Opening up the track bundle at Zandeken
  • The railway between Zelzate and Sluiskil (West bank)
  • The track around Sluiskil Bridge

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Determining Solutions

Late 2024 marks the beginning of the exploration phase. Together with specialised agencies, we will examine which solutions are possible and desirable. In the Netherlands, ProRail will start an exploration under the Environment and Planning Act. In Flanders, Infrabel is contributing to a regional spatial implementation plan (GRUP) for the area. We expect the procedures in the Netherlands and Flanders to be completed by the end of 2027, by which time we will know where adjustments to the rail network are required.