Antwerp responds to Dutch delay

This has upset Antwerp Port Authority, who says that because of a “good neighbours” policy, Flanders and the Antwerp port community have met previous Dutch demands on the deepening requests, and have, despite delays, worked together with the Dutch on a long term vision for the area.

Antwerp Port Authority now expects the Netherlands to carry out the necessary restoration work without delay, so as to enable the deepening work to actually go ahead, not on the basis of good neighbourliness but out of full respect for the treaties ratified by both parties and both parliaments.

“Good neighbourliness and mutual confidence are clearly not enough to get spadework going on the Dutch side. But given the economic importance both for Antwerp and for Flanders, we can no longer look on patiently and wait,” said port alderman Marc Van Peel.