Author: Nick Augusteijn
Media: SpoorPro
Date: May 8, 2023
North Sea Port is the cross-border port area that resulted from the merger of Ghent, Terneuzen, and Vlissingen. The number of tracks at the Zandeken track bundle has been expanded from five to nine. These tracks are also 750 meters long to accommodate the longer freight trains of the future. During the expansion work, which involved an investment of 2.5 million euros, a new signaling system with automatic switches was also installed. Infrabel and North Sea Port have provided extra space on the site for even more tracks, should demand increase further. In the future, a new direct freight line to the Netherlands will be constructed from the Zandeken track bundle. "This will make it possible to combine cargoes from Dutch companies with cargoes from companies at the Kluizendok in North Sea Port, making rail transport more accessible for companies with smaller volumes as well," says Infrabel spokesperson Thomas Baeken.
Possible Solutions
In February, Infrabel, ProRail, and North Sea Port announced that they will begin a study phase for cross-border rail development in and around the port area between Ghent and Terneuzen. The parties aim to further develop potential solutions for the expansion of freight rail through this study. The study phase will begin after the summer of 2023 and is financially supported by the Belgian and Dutch governments. The project enjoys broad political support and encouragement from the business community. In 2021, the governments of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Flanders signed a declaration of intent (which was renewed last year) to improve rail connectivity in the port area. The Dutch government subsequently underscored its support with 105 million euros from The National Growth Fund. Part of the study phase is being funded with money from this fund. Infrabel is using resources from its multi-year investment plan for the study. A European grant (Connecting Europe Facility grant) has also been applied for.
