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The Nieuwe Sluis (New Lock) Terneuzen is a major infrastructural project designed to enhance maritime access from the Westerschelde to the canal from Ghent to Terneuzen, facilitating pass for larger sea vessels up to 366 meters in length, forty-nine meters in width, and 14.5 meters in depth. The lock measures 427 meters in length, fifty-five meters in width, and 16.44 meters in depth, comparable to the locks of the Panama Canal. Its construction aims to boost economic activities in both the Zeeuws-Vlaanderen and Flemish regions by improving access to the ports of Terneuzen and Ghent. Additionally, the increased capacity of the lock reduces waiting times for inland vessels. The project is commissioned by the Flemish-Dutch Scheldt Commission and executed by the Sassevaart consortium. The New Lock was officially opened in October 2024.
The challenge
The New Lock Terneuzen project, one of the largest lock projects in the world, faced immense complexity due to its multinational nature, involving Dutch and Flemish stakeholders. With 1.5 terabytes of data, fragmented workflows, and the need for seamless collaboration across multiple systems, the project required a robust solution to manage document control, streamline communication, and ensure traceability. The added challenge of differing contract strategies between the Netherlands and Belgium further complicated the process.
The solution
Alfamail VISI was implemented to automate document management and integrate with SharePoint Online and Relatics, creating a dynamic link between systems. Customized workflows were developed to manage the high volume of documents and transactions, while a dedicated review process ensured quality control. The project team also introduced a hybrid approach to quality checks, combining the Dutch process-oriented contract management with the Flemish direct supervision.
The result
The interface between Alfamail VISI, SharePoint, and Relatics has been a game-changer, saving us countless hours and ensuring smooth information management across borders.
Marco Heijdens, Project Secretary | New Lock Terneuzen
The integration of Alfamail VISI with SharePoint Online and Relatics streamlined workflows, saving over one hundred hours of manual work. The dynamic linking of documents eliminated redundant tasks, such as manually downloading files and copying hyperlinks first, while the review process improved quality control and traceability. The project successfully navigated the complexities of multinational collaboration.
