The European Union will support with €1.6 million from the TEN-T Programme a study for the upgrade of one of the oldest locks in the Port of Antwerp in Belgium in order to remove a key bottleneck to inland waterway transport.
The study, which was selected for funding under the 2012 TEN-T Annual Programme, will look at different options to renovate and reconstruct the Royers Lock, which links the tidal Scheldt river with the Port of Antwerp and the Albert Canal. The outdated lock requires constant maintenance and causes disruptions to inland vessels using the Port of Antwerp and its hinterland. The outcome of the study will directly lead to the beginning of the construction phase in 2016, which, once completed, will stimulate the use of inland waterway as an alternative means of transport for freight in the region and beyond.
The project will be monitored by the Innovation and Networks Executive Agency (INEA) and is set to be completed by December 2015.