EU support for large projects

TEN-T is made up of major international corridors for transport by road, water or rail, with the idea of supporting the unified European market. Increasingly the emphasis is on sustainability. To support the development of this transport network the EU has made Euro146.63m available in 2012. Of this amount, Euro16m will be devoted to projects that are important for Flanders.

For construction of the second lock connecting the Deurganck dock with the other docks in the port, the EU is making Euro5m available to subsidise the earthworks and concrete structures due to be built between 2012-2014. This represents 5% of the total price tag of Euro100m. The second lock will significantly improve the maritime access to the port area on the left bank. At the moment the port can only be reached via the Kallo lock, which is already operating at full capacity.

EU subsidies are also being made available for improvements to the Albert canal. The canal will be widened at Schoten and Merksem: several bridges will be raised and modifications will be made to four bridges for pusher barges (Olen, Kwaadmechelen, Hasselt and Diepenbeek). This will make the entire length of the canal from Antwerp to Liège accessible to class VI vessels. Moreover, container barges will be able to carry boxes stacked four-high. The EU will pay 10% of the total investment of Euro33.42m.