De Vlaamse Waterweg nv (Flemish Waterways plc / Flemish Government) is responsible for the maintenance, operation, management and commercialisation of the inland waterways of the Flemish Region, such as the Albert Canal, the Scheldt, the Leie, the Flemish part of the canal Brussels-Charleroi, the Campine Canals and the common Meuse.

In total, De Vlaamse Waterweg nv takes care of 1076 km of canals rivers, 131 locks, 800 bridges, 195 km of quay walls, 1.100 km of banks, 2.046 km of towpaths and almost 6.600 hectares of public domain along these waterways.

Throughout history, the proximity of rivers and the sea has often been a breeding ground for economic success. Europe’s logistics hub is Flanders, where rivers flow out to the sea. Our location has many benefits, but also poses a number of major challenges. How can we further improve our mobility? How can we protect ourselves against floods? With a network of more than 1,000 kilometres of rivers and canals, Flanders holds the key. This is where De Vlaamse Waterweg nv comes in.

We operate the waterways to protect the population from floods and water shortages. With dykes, dams and pump systems, we keep water levels under tight control. Where necessary, we create additional space for water, with due care for the environment, leisure activities and the economy. We further develop the waterways network and improve the navigability of rivers and canals by dredging, adjusting locks and raising bridges. We guide barges smoothly and safely to their destination.

We also promote water transport. Up to 80% of our companies are located within 10 kilometres of a waterway. Our waterways are thus bursting with potential. We communicate this message to people and businesses. But what’s more: we also assist with tapping into new markets and support innovation, thereby building a strong future for inland navigation.

We help businesses to look at different ways of handling their traffic flow. We join forces to promote the construction of business premises along the water as well as new quay walls, thereby creating solutions for improved mobility in Flanders: because the more we transport over water, the more we help to facilitate other traffic flows. As such, we work together to chart the route to a prosperous Flanders.

As the Waterway manager of the Flemish Region, being part of the EFIP-community, has opened connections to inland waterway ports all over Europe, sharing knowledge, best practices and expertise on different topics, such as climate change, European co- financing, state aid and River Information Services. It also provides opportunities to demonstrate to the European level the importance of inland ports and inland waterway transport as part of the solution for climate change, innovation and zero-economic growth.

In the future, infrastructure development and asset management will still play a very important role for De Vlaamse Waterweg nv to attract more and different freight to our inland waterways. It goes without saying that an integrated vision in developing this infrastructure with an eye for climate change (drought as well as flooding), nature and leisure is the way forward to have social support for these projects.

Meantime, innovation and greening of the sector will also become more and more important to reach the objectives of the European Green Deal to create a zero-emission economy and transport sector by 2050.

However, none of this will be possible without the necessary support from the European level in order to accomplish these objectives on time.