2025-03-28
A national strike day will take place on 31 March. Disruption is also expected in the port of Antwerp and Zeebrugge. We are closely monitoring the situation and will keep you up to date with the latest information via this page.
In Antwerp, around 15 incoming vessels are expected today. Twelve of them have been scheduled and will receive their pilot before noon. Due to high capacity demand, minor delays may still occur throughout the day. All departing vessels have been handled. In Zeebrugge, all delays were cleared during the night shift.
All chain partners are restarting this morning. We are again 100% operational in Antwerp and Zeebrugge. We are now working quickly and safely to clear the backlog, which has grown to about 50 ships in Antwerp and 20 in Zeebrugge. We are focusing on a schedule that optimises the deployment of the various partners. We expect to resume normal operations in Antwerp by Thursday and in Zeebrugge by Wednesday.
Shipping in Antwerp continues to be disrupted due to strike actions. About fifty ships are still waiting to enter or leave the port. Since the start of the strike, only around ten ships have been able to enter or leave the port.
Update from the Antwerp-Bruges Port Authority:
The disruption will continue until tomorrow morning. We will then decide on how to clear the backlog quickly and safely. This is expected to take one or two days.
In Zeebrugge, ships will not be able to enter or leave the port throughout the night. The Pierre Vandamme lock remains operational, and movements in the port area also remain possible. Meanwhile, there are about twenty-five ships waiting.
The disruption will continue until tomorrow morning. Afterwards, we will decide on how to clear the backlog quickly and safely. This is expected to take one to two days.
The strike actions are causing a very significant disruption to ships to and from the port of Antwerp. Since the start of the strike, there were only about 10 departures and arrivals in total. Meanwhile, there are already around 50 ships waiting.
In Zeebrugge, there has been a complete blockade since 11am. Seagoing vessels can no longer enter or leave the port. However, seagoing vessels can move within the port area, and the Pierre Vandammesluis is also in service. Just over 10 ships are currently waiting in Zeebrugge.
The national strike day is severely disrupting the movement of ships to and from the port of Antwerp. Last night three ocean-going vessels arrived and four left. There are now around 30 vessels waiting.
Update Port Authority Antwerp-Bruges:
This currently allows us to realise the operations that are possible.
The port of Zeebrugge has also been severely affected by the strike. The Pierre Vandamme lock was in operation overnight and shipping without a pilot was possible. One ship left and two ships arrived. Five to ten ships are currently waiting in Zeebrugge.
Update Port Authority Antwerp-Bruges:
The Pierre Vandamme lock is in service. Ships without a pilot can continue to arrive and depart, although there will be delays.
Shipping to and from Antwerp has been severely disrupted by the strikes. About a dozen incoming and outgoing vessels are waiting. Within the port area, small seagoing vessels can make limited movements from the left bank to the right bank and vice versa.
General overview Antwerp-Bruges Port Authority:
This currently allows us to realise the operations that are possible.
In Zeebrugge, shipping is possible although there are some delays.