To prevent a lot of water from flowing from the Canal into the Western Scheldt, the locks in Terneuzen open less. The locks remain closed from 2 hours before and up to 2 hours after low water to limit the amount of lock water. In one day, therefore, no ships can enter or leave the Channel via the lock complex in Terneuzen for 8 hours. This results in longer waiting times for seagoing vessels, inland vessels and tugs.
If there is then artillery, as many ships as possible are brought into the locks at the same time. The aim is not only to save water, but also to prevent salinisation, and to maintain banks and dams.
In the inland navigation lock in Evergem – south of the Ghent-Terneuzen Canal – water-saving artillery is also used by filling the lock chamber with as many ships as possible.
The water management of the Terneuzen-Ghent Canal is a matter for the Dutch Rijkswaterstaat and the Flemish Waterway. North Sea Port is in contact with this to estimate the consequences for shipping and to make agreements.
Source North Sea Port