Preparations are underway, but the final dimensions of the terminal are still to be determined, pending approval of the EU grant application.
The new terminal, which is expected to be operational by early 2026, will completely replace the existing inland terminal. It will feature a reinforced quay wall, container cranes, reach stackers and 19,000 solar panels, as well as an additional 45,000 square metres of warehouse space.
With a capacity of 250,000 TEU/year and a strategic location on the Schelde-Rijn Canal, the terminal will serve as a consolidation hub to meet the needs of the nearby seaports of Rotterdam and Antwerp.
Bergen op Zoom’s strategic location between Rotterdam and Antwerp, combined with direct access to the Schelde-Rijn Canal and storage capacity, makes it an ideal intermediate station for container transport and hinterland distribution,” says H.Essers’.
The construction of the new terminal will benefit the region by improving local mobility and reducing environmental impact by taking around 260 lorries per day off the roads, the company says.
Initiatives such as battery charging, solar panels and shore power will also help reduce CO2 and nitrogen emissions.
The project will create 150 direct jobs and up to 300 indirect jobs, while also addressing residents’ concerns by moving the terminal away from residential areas.
The company is awaiting news on its CEF Transport Infrastructure Works grant application to realise the full potential of the project. If the grant is not awarded, significant revisions to the plans will be required, potentially impacting the transition to a fully zero-emission port.
Phase 1 involves the relocation of the current terminal by early 2026, followed by Phase 2, which includes the construction of the quay, shore power infrastructure and zero-emission gantry cranes. Solar panels will provide green energy for all port vehicles. The success of these plans depends on securing the CEF grant.