Pilot strike to disrupt port operations in Antwerp-Bruges

Shipping traffic in Antwerp-Bruges will be disrupted by a pilot strike until Wednesday, the port authority said.

IMAGE: Huge container ship being unloaded with cranes at a container terminal in Antwerp, Belgium. Getty Images

The pilot strike action is part of a national strike organised by Belgian trade unions against government socio-economic reforms that will affect workers’ pensions.

From 19.30 local time today until 19.30 on Wednesday, the Zeebrugge traffic control centre will cease operations, and pilot operations from the Wandelaar pilot station will not be possible, the port authority said.  

Piloting could still be possible through the Steenbank pilot station if a Dutch pilot is assigned, but shipping agent VertomCory told ENGINE that the Dutch pilots there may not want to interfere with the Belgian pilots’ strike action.

“Presently, this means no arrivals or departures will be possible until the end of the strike on 26 November 730 local time,” VertomCory said.

This disruption could mean increased queues for ships calling at Antwerp-Bruges for bunkers, a source said.

A local bunker supplier said that it is difficult to say whether this could lead to any bunker delays or congestions, and they will wait and watch.

By Nachiket Tekawade

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