IJmuiden is to get a new sea sluice gate system which will allow much bigger container and cruise ships to reach Amsterdam port, the transport ministry has agreed after years of discussion.

The project will cost over €700m and most of the funding will come from national government. Amsterdam city council and Noord-Holland province will also pay towards the project but it is not yet clear how much.
The complex will be one of the biggest in the world, at 500 metres long and with a depth of 18 meters. The current sluice is 400 meters long and 15 meters deep.
Amsterdam port has been hit hard by the recession. Earlier this month the port’s specialised container terminal lost its last customer and was closed down. The new sea sluice is seen as an investment for the future, the Financieele Dagblad said.