New Lock At Terneuzen Opens To Traffic, Allowing Bigger Ships To Reach North Sea Ports

The New Lock in Terneuzen, Netherlands, opened to Traffic on August 1, 2025. Said to be one of the largest in the world, it can be compared to locks in Panama, Antwerp and IJmuiden.

Its construction took 7 years and €1.2 billion, and it is expected to increase ship traffic to the port of Ghent, linking the Netherlands, France and Belgium.

The aim was to expand inland shipping and accommodate bigger vessels which could carry massive cargo volumes.

The lock will also act as a flood barrier as it is located higher than the rest of the complex.

North Sea Port officials said that two-thirds of the Ghent Port is only accessible through the canal, and the old locks became too small for modern ships.

The original locks were made in 1968 and are 280 m and 290 m long, suitable for small ocean-going and inland ships.

The new lock is 427 m long, 55 m wide and 16.44 m deep.

It can now accommodate ships with a maximum draft of 12.5 m irrespective of tidal conditions. Previously, deeper ships could be accommodated only during high tide.

However, shipping is limited by a roadway tunnel which passes under the canal.

Additionally, the canal also needs further dredging. Presently, it can accommodate ships which are 366 m long and 49 m wide or less.

Discussions are ongoing between Flanders and the Netherlands about modifications to the canal to increase shipping capacity further.

Source: Maritime Shipping News