Port of Antwerp's operations impacted by nationwide strike

Operations at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges have been impacted by a nationwide strike that began in Belgium earlier this week.

According to updates on the port's official website, the disruptions began in the early afternoon (local time) of Tuesday, May 20. These then gradually escalated and ultimately diminished over the next several hours.

Antwerp's Kallo Lock and Boudewijn Lock were rendered unavailable and some seagoing vessels' arrivals and departures were delayed due to the strike, though Boudewijn Lock was confirmed by the port to be 100 per cent operational later in the day on Tuesday.

One lock in Antwerp has remained open to inland navigation, two locks have allowed the passage of ships under 180 metres in length, and one lock is unavailable due to planned maintenance.

In Zeebrugge, there have been no hindrances in the port itself, and only two outgoing vessels were delayed.

By the early morning of Wednesday, May 21, there were no more disruptions or delays in either Antwerp or Zeebrugge due to the strike action.