In Ghent’s Kluizendok, 7 million euros will be invested in a new railway ring, the North Sea Port announced on Thursday. It also announced that CEO Daan Schalck will leave the company at the end of the year.
The North Sea Port, which stretches from Ghent to the Dutch town of Vlissingen, is an important port for Flanders, especially in terms of production. As the port grows, many investments are being made, such as the new lock that opened earlier this month.
To support this growth, investment in the port’s railway is also necessary. Last year, 2.5 million euros were invested in infrastructure. Rail investments are important to ensure smooth rail connections for the many companies in the area, and because it is more environmentally friendly than truck transport.
On Thursday, the port announced its latest investment, worth around 7 million euros. It is expected to bring significant benefits to rail-connected businesses around the Kluizendok, an economically important area on the left bank of the Ghent-Terneuzen Canal. The project will connect the north and south quays of the port, making rail freight transport faster and easier.
New CEO wanted
But the port will also have to find a new CEO to see this investment through. Current CEO Daan Schalck announced on Thursday that he will step down at the end of the year. Schalck said he was stepping down for personal reasons.
“I have worked out that my priorities lie elsewhere,” Schalck said. “I say goodbye with a good feeling because a number of major projects, such as the merger and the new lock in Terneuzen, have been successfully completed.”
Schalck has been director general of Ghent Port Company since 2009, and CEO of North Sea Port since 2018. North Sea Port has not yet commented on the selection process for his successor.
#FlandersNewsService | Lineas Executive Chairman Bernard Gustin and North Sea Port CEO Daan Schalck in 2023. © BELGA PHOTO JONAS D’HOLLANDER
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