Maritime traffic at the Port of Antwerp‑Bruges has been sharply disrupted as Flemish harbour pilots initiated industrial action in protest against the federal government’s proposed pension reforms. The dispute, which began with work-to-rule measures on 5 October and escalated into full suspension of pilotage during the national strike on 14 October, has brought vessel movement in and out of the port to a near standstill.
According to port authority reports, normal operations were suspended from 19:30 on Monday 13 October until around 07:30 on Wednesday 15 October, during which time both seagoing and inland navigation traffic was halted. During the peak of congestion, the backlog grew to more than 160 ships awaiting entry or departure, with estimates rising up to approximately 188 vessels. Meanwhile, the port’s capacity to handle traffic was reduced to around 70 % of normal levels.
Operational picture and congestion
For a port that typically handles between 60 and 80 ships daily, the impact was dramatic: on one day under the action only 31 vessels were processed. Towing services and lock operations also suffered—certain locks such as the Kallo and Zandvliet were out of service, and towing capacity was reported at half or reduced levels during the suspension.
The consequences for shippers, terminals and hinterland logistics have been severe. With such large numbers of vessels unable to berth or depart, delays and uncertainty have grown, raising risks of demurrage and container dwell time increases. As the port is a major discharge point for jet fuel, diesel and other liquid bulk cargos headed into Europe’s inland markets, the knock-on effects extend far beyond the quaysides.
Impact for shippers and terminals
Despite a temporary pause in the strike action by the pilots’ union (with a suspension until at least 24 October) the port authority emphasised that clearing the backlog will take “several days” even after normal scheduling resumes. In fact, data from risk-monitoring firm Everstream Analytics show average vessel waiting times at Antwerp and Zeebrugge have crept up to about 1.2 days, indicative of the lasting ripple effect.
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Adding to the strain, neighbouring Port of Rotterdam was simultaneously impacted by a lashing-workers’ strike, limiting its ability to absorb diverted traffic from Antwerp-Bruges.
In short, the events at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges underline the vulnerability of major maritime gateways to operational choke-points—particularly when crucial services like pilotage and towage become constrained. For shippers and logistic planners, this means heightened uncertainty, necessitates flexible routing or modal alternatives, and serves as a reminder of the importance of diversified supply-chain pathways.
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.
