One of Europe’s largest ports was blocked yesterday due to the national strike action in Belgium. The Port of Antwerp-Bruges reported yesterday that disruption caused by the national strike in Belgium (29 April) is continuing to mount.
The Antwerp-Bruges Port Authority confirmed that activities have been largely suspended.
“The Antwerp port area remains completely blocked. Meanwhile, 25 vessels are waiting to depart from Antwerp; 31 are waiting to enter the port,” according to the port data published yesterday at 10 a.m.
An update by the port on April 29 at 10 a.m. noted that the port authority’s operational services are quasi-full. “The locks are fully manned, the tug services are working at 90% occupancy. Traffic control within the docks and inland navigation services at the Oosterweel works remain active.”
In another update later in the afternoon at 14:30 p.m. yesterday, the port confirmed that there are 74 ships waiting. In Antwerp, 38 vessels are waiting to leave the port. Furthermore, on the North Sea 36 vessels are waiting, all heading for Antwerp.
The port authority has warned that the disruption is expected to continue until today morning. Afterwards, the port authority will consider how it can clear the backlog smoothly and safely.
The Port of Antwerp-Bruges said this is expected to take one to two days.
Due to industrial action at the traffic control center Zandvliet (MDK), shipping traffic to and from Antwerp will probably be blocked until Wednesday at 07:30, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges reports.
In contrast, operations at the Port of Zeebrugge have not been affected. The port noted yesterday that shipping to and from Zeebrugge remains possible. The port authority added, “Ships will be operated at the locks: entry and exit will be bundled.”
