The anticipated cost for extending the port of Antwerp has surged to around €5 billion – significantly more than initial estimates of €3.1 billion, according to sources within the Flemish government reported by De Tijd on Thursday.
With previous projections even suggesting costs as low as €1.8 billion, the discrepancy in budgeting has led the Inspectorate of Finance to question the feasibility of the current estimates, indicating that they fail to adequately account for factors such as cost inflation and potential delays caused by environmental challenges like PFAS pollution.
The expansion, known as the Extra Container Capacity Antwerp (ECA) project, aims to boost the port's capacity from 15 to 22 million containers each year. It encompasses three major infrastructure initiatives, with plans set to commence in 2029. Central to the project is the construction of the Saeftinghe dock, a state-of-the-art tidal dock situated alongside the existing Deurganck dock on the left bank of the Scheldt.
The extra capacity will not only be provided by the expansion of a new tidal dock but also by developing land within the existing port area to make optimal use of the existing and future space.
The MSC PSA European Terminal (MPET), the largest container terminal in the port of Antwerp. Credit: Belga
However, the project's progress has been marred by challenges, including the need for new access roads to accommodate increased traffic flow, prolonging the endeavour over several years. Concerns from neighbouring communities, notably the village of Doel, have further complicated matters, although recent negotiations have brought progress on this front.
However, the Inspectorate of Finance is still concerned about the distribution of financial responsibilities between the port authority and the Flemish government. Originally, the government planned to contribute €1.9 billion of the €3.1 billion budget but the Inspectorate insists that the port must bear a larger portion of the burden, in accordance with the Port Decree.
As well as financial disagreements, environmental and social questions remain to be addressed. In particular, measures to reduce the project's impact on local communities and ecosystems – such as noise reduction measures and support for affected villages like Doel – have not yet been thought through.
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Flemish Minister of Public Works Lydia Peeters declined to comment on the criticisms, leaving questions about the project's viability and financial implications unanswered.
The escalating costs of the Antwerp port expansion project reflect broader challenges facing infrastructure development in Flanders. Similar projects, like the new lock in Zeebrugge and the Oosterweel connection in Antwerp, also have ballooning budgets, straining the region's financial resources and potentially impacting future investment opportunities.
The rising costs risk delaying critical infrastructure projects and highlight that balancing economic growth with environmental sustainability and fiscal responsibility remains a major challenge for policymakers.
