The Port of Antwerp-Bruges is experiencing significant operational disruption across its terminals due to the nationwide strike taking place on April 29.
According to the Belgian port authority, vessel traffic to and from both Antwerp and Zeebrugge is being severely impacted.
In Antwerp, the port area is currently at a standstill, with 19 vessels waiting to depart and 20 waiting to enter. Despite the disruption, the port’s operational services remain largely functional. Lock operations are fully staffed, tug services are operating at 90% capacity, and traffic control within the docks, as well as inland navigation at the Oosterweel works, continues uninterrupted.
The port authority anticipates that the disruption will persist until the morning of April 30. “Afterwards, we will assess how best to clear the backlog in a safe and efficient manner, a process expected to take one to two days,” a port official said.
Meanwhile, operations in Zeebrugge are continuing, with vessel movements at the locks being coordinated through grouped entry and exit procedures.
