North Sea Port Maintains Draft Restrictions Due to Drought in Ghent-Terneuzen Canal

Restrictions on river traffic continue in the Ghent-Terneuzen Canal, part of the international North Sea Port ( Belgium-Netherlands). The situation is due to the low water level in the aforementioned navigation route as a result of the drought, leading to draft restrictions.

As reported by North Sea Port on its website, "the Ghent-Terneuzen Canal is under increasing pressure due to drought and changing hydrological conditions. This has direct consequences for the navigability of the canal, the availability of water for businesses, water quality (salinization), and logistical reliability."

In detail, it has been reported that the canal's level "has dropped and fluctuates around 15 cm below standards. The most up-to-date water level can be consulted on Waterbeheer – Rijkswaterstaat Waterinfo."

Regarding the restrictions, the community was informed that the maximum draft will be 12.25 meters.

Furthermore, the sea locks will be closed to control the water level, specifying that the new Terneuzen lock will remain closed four hours before and four hours after low tide, while the West Lock will remain sealed until further notice.