Antwerp is expanding its ferry service with a second ship, because in addition to the fully electric Op Stroom, the sister ship Marnix Van Sint Aldegonde will also sail on this connection.
Since February 1, 2024, the city of Antwerp has significantly increased its ferry service between the Left and Right banks of the Scheldt. This initiative, announced by Flemish Minister of Mobility and Public Works Lydia Peeters, marks a significant improvement in the city's connectivity.
The services, managed by FLEET, part of the Maritime Services and Coastal Agency, will deploy a second ferry to increase capacity and transport commuters across the Scheldt more quickly. In addition to the fully electric ferry Op Stroom, the sister ship Marnix Van Sint Aldegonde will now also be deployed.
A notable improvement is the increased frequency of crossings, especially during peak times. The new timetable not only includes more crossings, but also longer sailing times. Going forward, the service will start one hour earlier, at 06:00 AM on weekdays and 07:00 AM on weekends and public holidays, and will continue until approximately 23:15 PM, a significant extension from the current closing time of 18:15 PM o'clock.
This expansion was made possible thanks to an additional budget of 1,8 million euros, allocated during the budget negotiations at the end of last year. The expansion of the ferry service is an important step in increasing mobility in Antwerp. Known for its rich history and cultural heritage, the city has experienced significant growth in population and tourism in recent years. This has led to an increased demand for efficient and environmentally friendly public transport options.
Minister Lydia Peeters emphasizes the significance of this investment: “This provides additional services for commuters. The service times have also been adjusted, so that people can sail back and forth between the city center and the Left Bank until a later time.”
Tim Van Dijck, director of VLOOT, expresses his satisfaction with this development: “We are happy to be able to offer this extra service with VLOOT. I think we have now developed a harmonious service that will help many commuters. I would also like to thank our crew for working on this project and making the ferry service an even greater success.”
The expansion of the ferry service is also a step forward in making urban transport more sustainable. The deployment of the fully electric Op Stroom underlines the city's and the agency's commitment to environmentally friendly solutions. This initiative can help reduce traffic congestion in the city and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which fits in with Antwerp's broader drive to become a greener and more sustainable city. The new timetable for the ferry service is available on the MDK agency website, allowing travelers to better plan their trips and take advantage of this improved service.
