Image: ACV
The Port of Antwerp-Bruges is experiencing major disruptions today, April 29, as a nationwide strike has brought vessel traffic and terminal operations to a near halt across both Antwerp and Zeebrugge.
According to Port of Antwerp-Bruges officials, the strike has caused a severe impact on incoming and outgoing vessel traffic. As of this afternoon, 74 ships are currently waiting — 38 of them queued to depart from Antwerp and 36 anchored in the North Sea awaiting clearance to enter.
In Antwerp, the situation is particularly severe. Port activities have ground to a near-complete standstill, with 25 vessels waiting to leave and 31 unable to enter. Terminal handling has slowed dramatically, with picket lines and labor stoppages disrupting the usual flow of maritime cargo.
Despite the bottlenecks, the port’s core operational infrastructure remains mostly intact. The Port Authority has confirmed that all lock operations are fully staffed. Tug services, while affected, are still operating at 90% of their normal capacity. Traffic control within the docks continues, and inland navigation around the Oosterweel construction zone remains active.
A port official stated, “The disruption is expected to continue until the morning of April 30. Afterwards, we will assess how best to clear the backlog in a safe and efficient manner, a process expected to take one to two days.”
Meanwhile, in Zeebrugge, vessel traffic has not come to a complete stop. Port operations there are continuing under grouped entry and exit procedures. Ships are being scheduled in clusters to minimize the delay and maintain some level of flow through the locks. While less impacted than Antwerp, Zeebrugge terminals are still feeling the ripple effects of the strike.
The situation is being closely monitored by shipping lines, freight forwarders, and logistics companies across Europe. Some operators have already begun issuing advisories to clients about potential delays in cargo deliveries and increased port congestion in the coming days.
This latest disruption comes at a time when the European supply chain is already facing mounting pressure from geopolitical tensions, container imbalances, and ongoing labor negotiations in several key logistics hubs.
Industry professionals are keeping a close eye on how quickly the port can resume normal throughput after the strike ends. With over 70 vessels in limbo and rising, the race to clear berthing queues and resume cargo discharge will be a priority for terminal operators and shipping lines alike.
