| Port/s | AANTWERP/GHENT/ZEEBRUGGE |
| Issue Type | Civil unrest |
| Impact | Delays |
Due to industrial action by professional associations and a national strike scheduled for Tuesday, 14 October, port operations in Antwerp and the surrounding areas will be affected.
Staffing levels at the Zandvliet Traffic Control Centre will be reduced from 19:30 today until 07:30 on Wednesday, 15 October. Consequently, maritime traffic — including inland navigation — to and from Antwerp will be suspended during this period.
Channel 81 will remain operational; for example, DeWaterbus services may continue to run.
Efforts are ongoing to work with the authorities and pilots to resolve the work-to-rule actions, while exploring all possible measures to minimise disruption.
Delays are expected to ferry service schedules, although the specific locations affected have not yet been confirmed.
No strike notifications have been received for other traffic control centres, the MRCC, or the GNA.
Current Figures
At present, 129 vessels are waiting:
- In Antwerp, 36 vessels are awaiting departure.
- In Zeebrugge, 5 vessels are awaiting departure.
- In Ghent, 4 vessels are awaiting departure.
- On the North Sea, 84 vessels are waiting: 64 bound for Antwerp, 8 for Zeebrugge, and 12 for Ghent.
There are currently 10 vessels underway to or from the ports, each with a Flemish or Dutch pilot on board:
- Antwerp: 4 outbound and 5 inbound vessels.
- Ghent: 1 inbound vessel.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to reach out at [email protected].