A new lock for the port of Zeebrugge

The consortium of IMDC, Tractebel and Arcadis will also provide communication and project support services and perform social cost-benefit analysis. 

The port of Zeebrugge is the second largest port in Belgium and an important player in Europe. In order to continue to fulfil this role it is not only necessary that the port grows, but also that it remains easily accessible. The objective of the complex project "Nautical accessibility of the port of Zeebrugge" is therefore to improve and continue to guarantee nautical accessibility to the inner port. This will be achieved by means of a new lock at the current Visart lock, necessary infrastructure for tram and train, and a new connecting road with a tunnel for through traffic. 

In addition to economic development, the project also involves important improvements in quality of life, environment and mobility around the port. IMDC and Tractebel have been involved in the wider project of developing the port of Zeebrugge for some time and will continue to bring very specific expertise to this phase. IMDC's responsibility includes the preparation of the groundwater and sediment transport models and the modelling of the salt intrusion, to support of the impact assessment in the EIA. Tractebel and IMDC will also strengthen and support the EIA team, in particular in relation to the disciplines of Noise and Vibration and Landscape, Architectural Heritage and Archaeology. They will also collaborate on the preparation of the project research note, the quality of life study and the mobility study, building on the involvement of their experts in previous phases.