After two days of blockades, traffic has resumed but 41 ships remain on standby and the situation in the terminals continues to be critical
Antwerp The effects of the national strike called by Belgian unions against the government’s austerity measures continue to impact the ports of Antwerp and Zeebrugge, despite the resumption of operations on November 26. The union action, which lasted three days and was launched in response to policies to reduce the public deficit, also caused major disruptions at Brussels airports and major railway stations.
The blockade of pilotage services and maritime traffic slowed the movement of ships entering and leaving the two ports. On November 27, at 7:30 AM, the port of Antwerp-Bruges reported 13 outbound and 28 inbound ships at a standstill with “no prospects” for immediate movement, while at Zeebrugge delays were still expected, despite restored operations.
Disruptions in dock activities, container handling, and connections with the hinterland suggest persistent congestion in the following days as well. Hapag-Lloyd has warned customers that the backlog of ships will remain significant and could last throughout the following week, emphasizing that the company is working with partners and port authorities to contain delays.
