Discover the commitments behind the Canal
Find here the structural commitments of the Société du Canal Seine-Nord Europe and the project partners.
Discover the commitments behind the Canal
Find here the structural commitments of the Société du Canal Seine-Nord Europe and the project partners.
On the occasion of his participation in the meeting of the Supervisory Board of the Société du Canal Seine-Nord Europe (SCSNE) on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, the European coordinator of the North Sea-Rhine-Mediterranean corridor, Mr. Pawel Wojciechowski, visited the Canal construction sites and reaffirmed Europe's support for the Seine-Scheldt network, and in particular for its central link, the Seine-Nord Europe Canal.
The Seine-Nord Europe Canal, within the Seine-Scheldt network, represents a key component of the European North Sea-Rhine-Mediterranean transport corridor. Like the other 8 corridors, it responds in particular to strategic objectives of European integration and cohesion, fluidity of economic exchanges and ecological transition. The arrival in the Oise region of the European coordinator Pawel Wojciechowski is part of his mission to ensure and facilitate the proper implementation of priority projects which contribute to achieving the objectives of the European Green Deal.
The European Union has consistently supported the Seine-Scheldt project, including the Seine-Nord Europe Canal, since the 2000s, both politically and financially. For the entire Seine-Scheldt project, the Commission has already allocated a total of over €1,6 billion under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) for the benefit of France and Belgium. The portion of this amount dedicated to the Canal in France alone totals €868 million. The financial support provided so far clearly demonstrates Europe's recognition of the project's maturity and the importance of the Seine-Nord Europe Canal for our common future.
The implementation of the Seine-Nord Europe Canal has now entered the operational phase of construction work, as Pawel Wojciechowski observed during his visit to the Oise region today. He also noted the remarkable environmental requirements.
At the meeting of the Supervisory Board held in Compiègne, the European coordinator reaffirmed Europe's commitment to prioritizing support for TEN-T projects with a cross-border dimension and a clear European added value. This is the case for the Seine-Nord Europe Canal within the Seine-Scheldt Network, which meets these criteria and will bring real progress in terms of employment, CO2 emission reduction, industrial competitiveness, and logistics. He positioned the Seine-Nord Europe Canal as a truly strategic opportunity for French ports, a chance to capture the saturated traffic of Northern European ports.
“The Seine-Nord Europe Canal is not just a French project. It is a European project, a project of territorial coherence, ecological transition and logistical competitiveness.”
“Its success depends on everyone’s commitment. The European Commission will remain by your side to make Seine-Escaut a corridor of excellence, modern, resilient and fully integrated into the Europe of mobility.”
Xavier Bertrand, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of SCSNE, welcomed the constant and reaffirmed support of Europe. He also recalled the opportunity he had been given, at the invitation of the European Commission, on June 25th, for the 20th anniversary of the Trans-European Transport Networks, to share the vision of major European projects for a united Europe, ensuring sustainable development for its citizens. He recalled the European Commission's capacity for initiative and for defining a coherent framework through legal acts such as the implementing decision relating to the Seine-Escaut Network of 27 June 2019, revised in 2024.
Furthermore, on July 16, 2025, The European Commission has communicated its proposal for the next multiannual financial framework 2028-2034This proposal provides for a significant increase in the Connecting Europe Facility to address, in particular, the challenges of major cross-border projects currently under construction and the need for enhanced military mobility. In conjunction with this communication, the European Commission also published a draft regulation for the next financial instrument, "Connecting Europe Facility 3". citing the Seine-Scheldt project, of which the Seine-Nord Europe Canal is the major project, as a priority project to be completed. During his visit, Pawel Wocjiekowski reiterated this renewed and strengthened commitment to the Seine-Escaut project.
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=celex:52025PC0547
