Gent–Terneuzen Railway

Gent–Terneuzen Railway (Rail Ghent Terneuzen)

Rail Ghent Terneuzen An Improved Cross-Border Rail Network

We are researching how to improve the cross-border rail network between Ghent and Terneuzen. The exploration phase of the project will start late 2024.

Rail Ghent Terneuzen More Space on Freight Track

As the project organisation Rail Ghent Terneuzen we are investigating how to enlarge the capacity of the freight track. More capacity makes the rail network stronger and more reliable. Rail Ghent Terneuzen therewith contributes to the broad prosperity of the region around the port area. We enable economic growth and consider health, quality of life, environment and sustainability. An important goal of this project is: fewer trucks on the road and more freight transport by rail (modal shift).

Belgian-Dutch Collaboration

The Rail Ghent Terneuzen project organisation consists of the port authority North Sea Port and the two rail operators ProRail (NL) and Infrabel (BE). ProRail works on behalf of the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management. Infrabel works in Belgium for the Federal Public Service Mobility and Transport. Within the project North Sea Port has a coordinating role as a cross-border port authority.

Rail Ghent Terneuzen Planning

The exploration phase will start late 2024. Together with specialised agencies, we will examine which solutions are possible and desirable.

In the Netherlands,  ProRail will start a reconnaissance according to the The Environment and Planning Act. In Flanders, Belgium, Infrabel is working on a regional spatial implementation plan (GRUP) for the area. We will involve you as a stakeholder in this process. We expect the procedures in the Netherlands and Flanders to be completed by the end of 2027. By then we will know where adjustments to the railway network are required.

Rail Ghent Terneuzen About The Project

Rail Ghent Terneuzen is a project of North Sea Port, ProRail and Infrabel. Together we are exploring opportunities to improve the cross-border rail network between Ghent and Terneuzen, keeping broad prosperity in mind and enabling more sustainable transport.

Rail Ghent Terneuzen 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.

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

Rail Ghent Terneuzen 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.