Ghent and Zeeland ports plan to merge

At present the port of Ghent ranks 47th in Europe for tonnage handled per year, while the two ports in Zeeland – Vlissingen and Terneuzen, known together as Zeeland Seaports – stands in 35th place. Terneuzen is linked to Ghent by a canal (pictured).

The merged entity would fall in eighth place in Europe, said Daan Schalck, director of the port of Ghent. According to Terneuzen mayor Jan Lonink, a basis has already been laid to allow the ports to take a decisive step forwards. “All of the parties are in favour,” he said.

The merger has been studied by the management consultant McKinsey, resulting in a positive opinion. The new port entity would be able to cut costs by joining forces, it said, while carving out an identity for a bio-based economy and added value.

“The ports already co-operate,” commented transport economist Thierry Vanelselander of Antwerp University on Radio 1. “The current CEOs work very well together. Above all, you get the feeling that Flanders and the Netherlands are keen to co-operate. Both sides see the need to do something with these two ports.”

photo: Friedrich Tellberg/Wikimedia