North Sea Port, the merger company behind the ports of Ghent, Terneuzen, and Vlissingen, is taking a minority stake (20%) in Pipelink, a subsidiary of Port of Antwerp-Bruges. This new partnership will develop and build local, national, and international pipeline projects – essential steps forward in the modal shift and energy transition.

In 2026, the construction of a pipeline to connect the port clusters of Ghent, Zeebrugge, and Antwerp will begin. It must be fully operational to transport CO₂ by 2032, but it can already be used in various phases.

With North Sea Port becoming a minority shareholder in Pipelink thanks to a capital injection, the three largest Belgian port platforms Antwerp, Ghent, and Zeebrugge will be represented in Pipelink.

Safest and most energy-efficient transport mode

Pipelink owns and manages an asset base of 750 kilometers of pipelines in Belgium. Pipelines are the most environmentally friendly, energy-efficient, and safe transport mode for gaseous and liquid products. They play a crucial role in the modal shift and energy transition.

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and, eventually, the reuse of CO2 as a feedstock for various applications (Carbon Capture & Utilisation, CCU) are essential in the transition to climate neutrality.

Prevent global warming

CO₂ from the industry can be stored in empty gas fields under the North Sea. This way, the gas does not end up in the atmosphere or contribute to global warming.

The Dutch Vlissingen and Terneuzen are also part of the North Sea Port. Furthermore, Pipelink also plans to develop pipeline networks to transport (green) hydrogen carriers, such as ammonia, methane, and methanol. Such networks could be interesting in a circular model to reuse residual gases from one company as raw material at another.

‘Win-win for all’

Jacques Vandermeiren, CEO of Port of Antwerp-Bruges, considers the project “good news and a win-win for all parties”. “By connecting the Belgian port platforms, we can avoid competition and potential duplication of expensive infrastructure.”

Annick De Rider, Vice Mayor for the port of Antwerp and President of the Board of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges: “Although Port of Antwerp-Bruges and North Sea Port are competitors, we work closely together to roll out critical infrastructure. Together we are taking essential steps forward, both in modal shift and energy transition, and that is obviously good news for the entire Flemish region.”