IMDC and Tractebel help to keep the port of Zeebrugge accessible

Together the companies will provide communication and project support services and perform environmental studies and social cost-benefit analysis.

IMDC and Tractebel help to keep the port of Zeebrugge accessible
Photo: Port of Zeebrugge

IMDC and Tractebel have been appointed by the Flemish government as part of a consortium to help improve the accessibility of the Zeebrugge inner port. Together the companies will provide communication and project support services and perform environmental studies and social cost-benefit analysis. 

The port of Zeebrugge is the second largest port in Belgium and an important player in Europe. In order to continue to fulfil this role, it is not only necessary that the port grows, but also that it remains easily accessible. The objective of the complex project "Nautical accessibility of the port of Zeebrugge" is therefore to improve and continue to guarantee nautical accessibility to the inner port. This will be achieved by means of a new lock at the current Visart lock, necessary rail infrastructure for tram and train, and a new connecting road with a tunnel for through traffic. 

In addition to economic development, the project involves important improvements in quality of life, environmental and mobility around the port. IMDC and Tractebel have been involved in the wider project of developing the port of Zeebrugge for some time and will continue to bring very specific expertise into this phase.

IMDC's responsibility includes for the preparation of the groundwater and sediment transport models and the modelling of the salt intrusion, to support the impact assessment in the EIA. Tractebel and IMDC will also strengthen and support the EIA team, in particular in relation to the disciplines of Noise and Vibration and Landscape, Architectural Heritage and Archaeology.

They will also collaborate on the preparation of the project research note, the quality of life study and the mobility study, building on the involvement of their experts in previous phases.