Nieuwpoortsluis in Veurne, Belgium

Hi Colin.

Interesting! I wonder why no route via Lille? We had carefully considered going that way but to be honest I don’t regard the waterways of N. France as particularly attractive, it is a long way (relatively!) and costly in fuel and vignette for just our normal spring shakedown cruise. We also considered the short hop up the coast but that would still need a short vignette to get out of Duinkerke and we would have to do battle with the lock in Duinkerke. More importantly we could not be sure of the weather for either leg. The authorities have been helpful in offering us an alternative mooring, but their offering is not particularly secure, so it is quite important for us to get back to our home mooring for the 6 weeks between OVA and our longer  summer trip across to the Meuse and N.E. Belgium.

So in a few days we are off to Norway instead in the MH, but may visit OVA on our way back. I will be advising Sofie tomorrow that she has a vacancy. Have a good time Colin, Ali.

Balliol.

I've just updated the Waterkaarten app. Tried planning Douai to Oostende and recommended route was to Dunkirk and then by sea to Oostende. 
No suggested option to go via Lille. 
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Latest stoppage notice. The end date seems to have come forward to 15/06 (from 22/06).Announcement: Work
fairway message,published by De Vlaamse Waterweg nv on 31/03/2026 (UTC+2) ,  09:40
Valid from 13/04/2026 (UTC+2) to 15/06/2026 (UTC+2)
For Lock Nieuwpoortsluis te Veurne, km 10,5 (Kanaal Nieuwpoort-Duinkerke) is valid

• from 13/04/2026 07:00 o'clock (UTC+2) to 15/06/2026 19:00 o'clock (UTC+2) the following limitation: 
  • Blockage

I have just received a further notice from Visuris announcing that the stoppage in Veurne is now starting a week earlier on 13th. April.

Regrettably we will be missing Oostende voor Anker this year since the logistics and costs of leaving "Actief" off her home mooring for over two months are too much.

Balliol.

This is very helpful. Thanks, Balliol. It sounds much less bad for my plans than I had feared. I will though plot the places and waterways that you mention to satisfy myself on the situation. 

Hi Charles,

The notice is on Visuris but I can’t seem to paste the link on the only device to hand. It was dated 03/03.  If you narrow your search to just the Kanaal Nieuwpoort Duinkerke it might stand out more.

I have conversed with the powers that be. It will definitely not be possible to get through the Sluis. There will be no “windows” in the works. The stoppage only affects the lock, which will be de-watered throughout the period.

However if you are heading to Diksmuide from the east, e.g. Gent, Brugge, Nieuwpoort, then I don’t think there is any problem. I have not asked the specific questions since I am not going towards Diksmuide (or anywhere from the sounds of it!) but I am pretty certain that the Yser from Nieuwpoort via the St. Jorissluis will be totally unaffected, and I believe the Lokanaal from Veurne will also be unaffected. I suggest you plan on using the Yser, which is the quicker route anyway. Indeed, I have just been offered the use of an alternative mooring on the Steigers on the 8nland (easr) side of the Gravensluis, on the understanding I can get east from there, so your route to the St. Jorisluis should be open also.

Balliol.

p.s. Just in case you are confused, remember that the affected lock, the Nieuwpoortsluis, is in Veurne, immediately east of the haven. The Veurnesluis, which is unaffected, is in Nieuwpoort. Simple really!

Hi Balliol.  Thank you for alerting us to this.  I can't find the relevant notification on the Vlaamse Waterwegen website.  I am doubtless being dumb.  Would you provide the relevant link?  I am planning to go to Diksmuide, for some work on my boat, just before the end of the period you mention and cannot make it later.  Therefore the exact details are important to me.  I am particularly keen to understand exactly which waterways will be affected, as well as how and if I will still be able to get to Diksmuide, probably from the Ghent direction.  Best, Charles.

Vlaamse Waterwegen has announced a two month total closure of the flood lock in Veurne from 20th. April until 22nd. June 2026.

This will prevent transit from Dunkirk area, and all recognised moorings in Veurne, eastwards towards Nieuwpoort, Bruges and beyond.

The reason is complete renovation of the Nieuwpoortsluis (in Veurne).

Balliol.