Dutch port given EU funds

The Port of Amsterdam PPP scheme has been awarded financial support from the European Union (EU).

Under its Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) programme, the EU has pledged €2.7m to the IJmuiden sea lock.

The money will support a series of studies designed to prepare the port for tender, including how the project will be delivered through a design, build, finance and maintain contract.

The project will increase sea access capacity to the Port of Amsterdam through the construction of a new sea lock allowing new ships to enter the port.

It is estimated the project will cost around €740m and it is believed the use of the PPP model will allow the scheme to begin 10 years earlier than previously planned.