Terneuzen - The Ghent and Terneuzen port areas are of major economic importance. The lock complex at Terneuzen forms the gateway to these ports, located along the Ghent-Terneuzen Canal. It is a crucial element in the Seine-Scheldt link. Research into maritime access from the Canal Zone has revealed a threat of capacity problems in relation to inland navigation. Sea-going vessels may also face problems in relation to dimensions, availability and reliability of passage.
| Location | Terneuzen Google Maps |
| Assignment | Vision, Design |
| Size | 45 hectares |
| Design | 2017-present |
| Construction | 2020 |
| Client | Flemish-Dutch Scheldt Commission |
| Team | John Boon, Joep van Baast, Robert Kruijt, Luuk van den Berg |
| In collaboration with | AE Architects |
| Copyright images | Arcadis |
Flanders and the Netherlands are building a new sea lock in Terneuzen. The Nieuwe Sluis sea lock will provide better access to the ports and a smoother passage for both inland navigation and sea-going vessels. The lock will be constructed as part of the existing lock complex in Terneuzen. The first ship is expected to pass through one of the largest sea locks in the world in 2022. In terms of size, the Nieuwe Sluis will be comparable with the locks at IJmuiden, Antwerp and the Panama Canal.
The Sassevaart consortium is responsible for the construction of the lock and consists of BAM, DEME and the Belgian construction company Van Laere NV. We were responsible for designing the landscape integration for the new lock. The lock complex will be transformed from a barrier to a connection point between the city of Terneuzen, the Western Scheldt estuary, the canal zone and the marine-clay landscape. The complex is designed as a recreational green gateway to Terneuzen. As much land as possible has been used to create grassland full of flowers, resulting in a peaceful, coherent image. The new bridges, buildings and fences will be designed as one family.
