Zeeland Seaports has asked the Provincial Executive of Zeeland not to proceed yet with the Environmental Effect Report for the Westerschelde Container Terminal. First it wishes to carry out a further study of the container market to ascertain potential interest from other operators in the WCT.

On 1 May this year the period of time within which the intended operator, PSA Antwerp from Belgium, could exercise its right to exclusivity for operating the terminal, expired.
Further discussions with them have made clear that at present they do not want to take a decision on the conditions for putting the WCT into operation in the future.
Zeeland Seaports regrets this because the impression was always that PSA was working together with the Port Authority to develop this container terminal, which is so vital to Zeeland’s economy. Without an operator, it will be difficult to justify the economic feasibility of the terminal.

Given the present situation, Zeeland Seaports feels it is important first to carry out a market survey and to examine which parties besides PSA are interested in operating the WCT. The container market appears to have emerged from the economic crisis during the past few months and demand for container transport is once again rising considerably around the world.
Following this survey, a targeted market approach can be initiated to conclude a firm agreement with a market party. This will increase the assurance that the terminal can be run profitably, and will also bring closer the procedure’s chance of success.

The Board of Zeeland Seaports emphasises that it is still firmly behind the project, and that it considers container handling in the ports of Zeeland extremely important to the development of the Zeeland economy. Zeeland Seaports has every confidence that the procedure can be started in the short term after all. PSA will of course still be welcome as an operator.