Second lock on the left bank
Minister of Public Works Kris Peeters has given the go-ahead for a number of preparatory studies to begin construction of a second access to the Waasland port. The final location of the second access will not be known until a social costs/benefits study and a special environmental impact assessment have been carried out. The second lock should be operational by 2013.

Expansion of the container handling capacity
The volume of container freight is expanding at an annual rate of around 8%. If this growth continues in the coming years, the Deurganck dock will be operating at maximum capacity by 2012-2013. The strategic planning process looks at how the rapid growth in demand for container capacity can be met in the near future, and which additional container handling capacity can be made available.

Liefkenshoek rail tunnel

The planning process for the Liefkenshoek rail tunnel, the proposed second rail link between the left and right banks, has entered its final phase. In December 2006 the Flemish Government took a definitive decision on the route; it had already given its approval for a system of prefinancing, so that the work can start earlier than planned. According to the schedule work will start in 92009, so that the tunnel can enter service at the end of 2013.

Oosterweel link

The Master Plan includes construction of an additional road that will form a connection between the left and right banks of the Scheldt, between city and port. This road, the Oosterweel link, will close the last gap in the Antwerp ringroad.