North Sea Port CEO warns of costly drought and urges climate action
Cas König says the dry summer has forced lock closures at the North Sea Port, costing businesses millions and disrupting the Ghent-Terneuzen supply chain.
The summer drought has severely impacted the North Sea Port, with one lock in Terneuzen fully closed and the second limited to four-hour high-tide windows, leading some companies to use lorries instead of ships. Vessels now encounter longer queues, a draught reduction of roughly 25 cm, and increased fees for extended mooring. König warns that persistently low water levels endanger quays, bridges and other infrastructure, risking broader industrial shutdowns.
He estimates the financial hit runs into millions of euros for affected businesses. The port authority expects such events to become more frequent and is pushing for accelerated climate-adaptation measures with authorities and industry partners. König concludes that waiting for next year is not an option and immediate action is required.
Why it matters
Drought-driven lock closures threaten regional trade, raise costs and highlight the need for climate-resilient infrastructure.
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