Issue #153, 24 March 2005
Deepening of Western Scheldt to start in 2007
A Third Memorandum of Understanding that clears the way for deepening of the Western Scheldt was signed on 11 March 2005 by Minister Kris Peeters for Flanders and Ministers Karla Peijs, Cees Veerman and Melanie Schultz van Haegen for the Netherlands.
The dredging work can start in 2007 and should be completed by the end of 2009. The Scheldt will then offer a tide-independent navigation draft of 13.10m (mean lowest low water).
Eddy Bruyninckx, managing director of the Antwerp Port Authority, expressed his satisfaction that the port will be able to offer a better service to users thanks to this deepening programme.
However, he emphasised that the dredging to 13.10m is by no means the ultimate goal, but that further deepening will be considered in future.
The decision by the Flemish and Dutch governments forms part of an all-embracing approach for the Scheldt estuary, as outlined by the 2010 Development Sketch based on the three principles of accessibility, flood protection and
nature conservation.
Extensive studies have demonstrated beyond doubt that the planned deepening programme will not compromise either flood safety or the environment of the river.
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