The Seine-Scheldt network is the result of an Implementing Decision:
- adopted by the European Commission on 27 June 2019.
- which defines the reciprocal commitments of the stakeholders involved, the objectives and a timetable for action.
A NETWORK DEPLOYED IN STAGES
TIMETABLE FOR DEPLOYMENT
The Implementing Decision includes :
- improving navigation conditions for the Seine-Amont, from Nogent-sur-Seine to Paris by December 2030;
- modernising and improving navigation conditions for the Seine-Aval, from Suresnes to Le Havre, by December 2027 ;
- changing the gauge of the waterways to allow the movement of larger vessels and improving navigation conditions for the Oise, from Conflans Sainte-Honorine to Compiègne (including the MAGEO project), by December 2028 ;
- constructing and commissioning the Seine-Nord Europe Canal, from Compiègne to Aubencheul-au-Bac, by December 2028 ;
- changing the gauge of the waterways to allow access for larger vessels and improve navigation on the Dunkirk-Scheldt axis, by December 2027 ;
- reopening and upgrading the Condé-Pommeroeul canal to allow the movement of larger vessels, by December 2022 ;
- upgrading the Walloon backbone, from Pommeroeul to Namur, to adapt it to the movement of larger vessels, by December 2028 ;
- upgrading the waterways and adapting structures (locks, bridges) on the Upper Scheldt, in the Walloon and Flemish regions, by 2030 ;
- changing the gauge of the Lys, in the Flemish region, the Walloon region and France, to allow the movement of three layers of containers by December 2027 ;
- modernising the Flemish sections of the inland waterways connected to the Seine-Scheldt by December 2022.
CROSS-CUTTING PROJECTS
The Implementing Decision also covers general actions for the whole network:
by the end of 2022, the development of a strategic framework to promote the full development of an alternative fuels infrastructure, to be implemented gradually by the end of 2030.
by the end of 2028, the implementation of integrated and efficient cross-border traffic and transport management services (including River Information Services, RIS), as well as the development of multimodal logistics platforms.