Ports and waterways: the arteries of our open economy

Growth and competition call for new investments

Transport on waterways is increasing, with more and larger ships carrying larger containers. In 2024, barges distributed 166 million tonnes of goods across Belgium. Influenced by global competition, our maritime ports also continue to invest. Sweco supports investors, governments, and companies in the realisation of new transhipment quays, port modifications, renewal of locks, dams, and pumping stations, and the widening and deepening of canals and rivers.

With flood embankments, controlled flood plains [link to the “Floods & Droughts Management” service], reservoirs, pumping stations, and green infrastructure [link to the “Green-Blue Strategies” service], we ensure sustainable and safe growth of water-based trade.

Well thought-out processes for balanced projects

Our multidisciplinary teams include experts in civil engineering, logistics, environmental consultancy, environmental impact assessment and management, coastal defence [link to the “Coastal Protection & Resilience” service], and water transport. They guide you through all phases of the project:

• Inventory of the existing situation
• Stakeholder management
• Feasibility study
• Sketch design, preliminary design, and final design
• Permits
• Detail calculations
• Preparation of the tender file
• Contract management
• Implementation

We build construction works, structures, and other constructions based on consultation with stakeholders. With our extensive experience in hydraulic engineering, we will guide you through a well thought-out process. We use advanced calculation software to provide you with substantiated information that helps you decide on the most optimal configuration, materialisation, construction method, and phasing. Together, we arrive at an efficient design that combines a favourable cost with minimum disruption and high sustainability.

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