Study into a pipeline route from the Port of Antwerp to the Rühr Area

Antwerp has developed into a world-class chemical cluster. The space for installing new pipelines is gradually hitting its limits. A pipeline route between the chemical cluster in the Port of Antwerp and the chemical companies in Limburg, the Netherlands, and the German Rühr Area may provide a solution to this problem. This would connect leading chemical clusters in Flanders with each other and our neighbouring countries, in addition to promoting economic development relying on sustainable modes of transport in the long term.

At the request of the Government of Flanders (Environment), we studied the potential for proactively reserving space to develop a corridor. The studies were conducted in consultation with the Belgian Pipeline Organisation (Fetrapi), the federation of the chemical and life sciences industries (Essenscia) and the Antwerp Port Authority.

We approached this complex issue from a three-fold perspective:

1. We started by carrying out extensive spatial studies in the area between Antwerp’s port and the Belgian-Dutch border in Limburg with a view to mapping potential route alternatives.
2. We also carried out a study into the economic potential of such a pipeline route, taking into account the needs in terms of underground transport of the industrial sectors involved in addition to long-term forecasts for the energy transition and the low-carbon economy and society trend.
3. Finally, a design study was carried out and design workshops organised with local stakeholders, research carried out into local opportunities for implementation in addition to the social added value of such a pipeline corridor.

By facilitating sustainable transport infrastructure for chemical products and industrial gases, the foundation is laid for smart energy landscapes and the sustainable growth of our ports and industry.

We worked very closely with the following partners in the past years for the various studies in the margin of this mission:

• VUB-ECSA
• Bureau Bas Smets
• Dens communicatie
• LDR advocaten

We worked very closely with the following partners in the past years for the various studies in the margin of this mission:

• VUB-ECSA
• Bureau Bas Smets
• Dens communicatie
• LDR advocaten

We worked very closely with the following partners in the past years for the various studies in the margin of this mission:

• VUB-ECSA
• Bureau Bas Smets
• Dens communicatie
• LDR advocaten

Voor de verschillende onderzoeken, in het kader van deze opdracht, werkte wij de voorbije jaren intensief samen met: 

• VUB-ECSA
• Bureau Bas Smets
• Dens communicatie
• LDR advocaten