How do we keep Ameland accessible in the future? The Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management has started a MIRT exploration to answer this question together with governments, residents, and other stakeholders. Rijkswaterstaat has been tasked with carrying this out.
Until June 19, 2025, everyone can respond to the notification of the exploration and the way we approach participation via the website Platformparticipation .
What is it about?
The ferry connection between Holwert and Ameland is under pressure. The shipping channel is becoming narrower and shallower, requiring more frequent dredging. This is expensive and harmful to nature. If we do nothing, there is a risk that Ameland will become harder to reach in the future.
What is a MIRT exploration?
MIRT stands for Multi-Year Program Infrastructure, Space, and Transport. This includes all investments made by the national government together with other governments in roads, railways, and waterways.
On November 14, 2024, the Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management signed the start document for this MIRT exploration. This start decision includes the start document in which the goal and approach of the MIRT exploration are described.
Many studies conducted
In the past 10 years, several studies have been conducted on the accessibility of Ameland. The last study was the Follow-up Study Accessibility Ameland 2030 (VBA 2030). This resulted in roughly 2 solution directions:
- improving the existing ferry connection
- relocating the ferry port to Ferwert
Within this MIRT exploration, we are not only looking at these 2 with a fresh perspective but also at other possible alternatives. We consider new input and ideas. We investigate how Ameland can remain best accessible, taking into account the unique Wadden nature. Safety, economy, livability, health, and finances also play an important role in the exploration.
Why this MIRT exploration?
On November 15, 2023, the results of previous studies were sent to the House of Representatives. This prompted the Minister to start a MIRT exploration. This means that:
- we start with a fresh perspective: in this MIRT exploration, we list all possible solutions, using the results of previous studies, and look for new outcomes.
- money is reserved: for the entire process, from exploration to execution.
- we arrive at a preferred alternative: in the decision-making process, we will now make choices that will eliminate alternative solutions. This way, less promising ideas will be eliminated, and ultimately one preferred alternative will remain.
After the preferred alternative is established, the next phase in the MIRT process follows: the MIRT plan development. In this phase, the preferred alternative will be concretely elaborated. If this phase is successfully completed, the realization phase will follow in which the plan will be executed.
Relationship with other projects in the area
Parallel to this MIRT exploration, various other studies are ongoing. We maintain contact with all these projects. One of them is the renewal of the concession for the Frisian Wadden ferries, including to Ameland. The current concession for the Frisian Wadden ferries runs until 2029. For the period thereafter, the national government will again grant concessions for passenger transport to and from the Frisian Wadden Islands. Although both projects are separate, the concession granting takes the outcomes of the MIRT exploration into account regarding the accessibility of Ameland.
More information on MIRT exploration
For more information, visit the website of MIRT or contact us.