Twentekanaal shipping disruptions threaten Dutch regional economy

The Twentekanaal in the Netherlands faced its first complete closure for shipping this summer due to extremely low water levels. Experts and calculations from Rijkswaterstaat suggest that such closures could occur as frequently as every two years by 2050.

The disruption has caused significant economic damage, with regional companies reporting losses in the tens of millions of euros. The inability to transport raw materials and products via water forces businesses to use road transport, which is considerably more expensive or occasionally impossible. Local port authorities warn that frequent closures may force companies to relocate from the region.

The core of the issue lies with the locks and pumping stations at Eefde, near Zutphen, which pump water from the IJssel into the Twentekanaal. Although a major renovation of a large pumping station was completed a decade ago, it failed to account for the low river levels seen recently. Reports indicate that authorities have been aware of these inadequacies since 2018. While the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management has announced new studies, a decision on new infrastructure, such as a modern pumping station, may not be ready until 2033.