Trial voyage opens door to bigger ships sailing to Ghent

A commercial trial voyage took place on Monday to test whether larger ships can safely sail to Ghent via the Ghent-Terneuzen Canal. For the first time, a ship wider than 38 metres made the journey, passing through the New Lock in Terneuzen.

The sea-going vessel Piavia, measuring 38.04 metres wide and 229 metres long, sailed from Terneuzen to ArcelorMittal Belgium in Ghent with a full commercial cargo of iron ore. The test included not only the voyage itself, but also mooring and unloading at the quay.

The successful trial could allow bigger ships to use the canal in future. Larger vessels can carry more cargo in one trip, cutting costs and improving efficiency for industry. The results of today’s voyage will help Belgium and the Netherlands decide whether wider ships can be allowed more often on the canal.

The trial follows years of joint preparation by the Flemish and Dutch authorities, port managers and shipping services. They studied whether the canal is wide and safe enough for larger vessels. Today’s voyage was designed to test those plans in real conditions and to see how the New Lock can improve access to Ghent and the wider North Sea Port area.

^{#FlandersNewsService | Piavia passes through Terneuzen lock © BELGA PHOTO JONAS ROOSENS}