Lock complex Terneuzen

The Terneuzen lock complex or Sea Locks in the Dutch city of Terneuzen is a lock complex that provides access from the Western Scheldt to the Ghent-Terneuzen Canal and thus to the port of Ghent.

The canal was built between 1823 and 1825 and terminated in the Western Scheldt. Two locks were constructed near Terneuzen, one of 8 meters wide and a second of 12 meters. Since then, the locks have been improved and enlarged several times.

The complex now consists of three locks. The oldest, called Middensluis, was opened in 1910, has a length of 140 metres and a width of 18 metres. It was renovated in 1986.

At the end of the 60s of the 20th century, extensive works took place that resulted in the opening of two new locks in 1968. The Oostsluis or inland navigation lock, which has a length of 280 metres and a width of 23 metres. The West Lock or Sea Lock, which has a length of 290 meters and a width of 40 meters. It is suitable for seagoing vessels with a draught of up to 12.5 metres and a loading capacity of 83,000 tonnes. Facilities have been installed at this lock to prevent salt water from entering the canal. Belgium accounted for 80% of the total construction costs of the West Lock; The Netherlands paid the remaining 20%.

Every year, approximately 10,000 sea-going vessels, more than 50,000 inland vessels, and about 3,000 pleasure craft pass through the locks.

A visitor centre is located near the locks, which is called Portal of Flanders.

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