The Port of Antwerp-Bruges is working through a significant post-strike backlog after Flemish harbour pilots staged industrial action earlier this month. Authorities counted as many as 188 vessels waiting to berth or depart, and operations are running at roughly 70% of normal capacity as the port clears the logjam.
The disruption began with a work-to-rule and strike by harbour pilots protesting proposed federal pension reforms, sharply reducing the number of pilot assignments and slowing vessel movements. The action dropped daily vessel handling from a typical 60–80 ships to around 31 at the height of the disruption. Although pilots have temporarily suspended formal strike action, restricted schedules and a nation-wide day of industrial action have kept throughput depressed.
Scale of the backlog
The accumulated queue — nearly 190 ships at its peak — includes container vessels, tankers and product carriers whose delays are not confined to berth waiting times but ripple through feeder rotations, barge schedules and inland logistics. Port authorities and carriers warn the backlog will take several days to clear even if pilot services return to full hours.
Antwerp is a major European import and distribution hub for refined products such as jet fuel, diesel and heating oil. The congestion has already delayed oil and fuel deliveries into northwest Europe, creating multi-day knock-on delays for refineries, pipeline receipts and air/road fuel supply chains. Analysts say the timing and concentration of delayed cargoes increase the risk of short-term price volatility and logistical strain for carriers and fuel customers across the region.
Feeder and regional knock-on effects
Container lines and feeder operators face disrupted rotations; some vessels are being diverted or skipping calls, pushing volumes toward Rotterdam, Zeebrugge, and other nearby hubs. While Zeebrugge—part of the same complex—has reported lighter delays, capacity at alternative ports is limited and cannot instantly absorb large volumes without creating fresh congestion.
Cause and immediate remedies
The proximate cause is labour action by pilots responding to pension and labour terms disputes. Short-term fixes include restoring full pilot availability, reallocating berth slots to prioritise energy and perishable cargoes, authorising overtime shifts, and routing suitable traffic to nearby ports with spare capacity. Coordinated scheduling between terminal operators, shipping lines, feeders and inland carriers is essential to reduce anchor-waiting time and speed clearing. Longer-term resolution requires political progress on the pilots’ grievances and contingency planning to build operational resilience.
Antwerp-Bruges sits at a crucial junction of European energy and logistics flows; delays there transmit quickly into fuel supply chains, airline refuelling schedules and inland distribution. For shippers and energy buyers, even short multi-day delays can force re-routing, raise spot premiums, and complicate supply contracts tied to tight schedules.
As Editor in Chief of The Maritime, I lead content development, interviews, and digital storytelling across our multimedia maritime platform. With over 10 years of experience in the maritime industry, I create and publish in-depth stories and video features that highlight key players, emerging trends, and operational realities across global shipping. Before launching The Maritime, I worked as a Vessel Operator at Imza Marine A.S., gaining hands-on commercial shipping and voyage operations experience. I also served as Marketing Communications Specialist at Gimas Ship Supply & Services, where I managed corporate communication, digital strategy, and industry outreach for shipowners and maritime clients. I hold a Master’s degree in Maritime Transportation Management from Istanbul Technical University and a Master’s degree in Publishing from Marmara University. My work is driven by the belief that the maritime world deserves strong, informed, and accessible media representation. I am committed to sharing the stories of maritime professionals and contributing to the sector’s visibility, knowledge exchange, and future development.
