2025-11-21
National strike days will take place between 24-26 November. Disruption is expected in the port of Antwerp-Bruges. We are closely monitoring the situation and will keep you informed of the latest information via this page.
In Antwerp, inbound and outbound vessel traffic is experiencing delays due to actions over the past few days, combined with limited visibility and reduced availability of maritime pilots in the afternoon. Shipping is being scheduled as efficiently as possible based on the available capacity, and all services are operational. At the moment, 13 outbound vessels and 28 inbound vessels are waiting without prospects.
In Zeebrugge, inbound and outbound traffic is facing delays due to the unavailability of the SWATH tender during the night. From 07:45 onwards, all operations are running normally again.
The inbound and outbound vessel traffic in Antwerp is experiencing delays. Shipping movements are being optimally scheduled based on the available capacity. The deployment of tugboats behind the locks is at 55%. Both the VTS service and passage planning are fully operational. All bridges and locks are functioning normally. Currently, 27 outgoing vessels are waiting without prospects of passage. In addition, 38 incoming vessels are also waiting without any outlook for transit.
In Zeebrugge, inbound and outbound vessel traffic is proceeding without delays. The PVD lock is fully operational.
The blockades in Antwerp have now been lifted, and the roads are clear again.
In addition, the Zandvliet Lock is once again operational for inland shipping. Train traffic over the Zandvliet Lock and Berendrecht Lock has resumed. Over the Kallo Lock, train traffic is only possible at night due to ongoing works.
Vanaf 10u zullen Kieldrechtsluis, Berendrechtsluis 100% operationeel zijn, de Boudewijnsluis zal operationeel zijn voor binnenvaart. De rededienst Vlissingen ligt er wegens een technisch defect uit, er is dus opnieuw enkel Nederlandse beloodsing mogelijk.
Due to union actions at several locations in the port area, there is severe traffic disruption, including on the Scheldelaan and the Sint-Antoniusweg. Emergency services are on site to monitor the situation and provide support where possible. We advise avoiding the area and using alternative routes. As soon as we have more information, we will communicate a new update.
Inbound and outbound shipping has resumed, and vessel traffic is being scheduled as efficiently as possible within the available capacity and any ongoing actions. The Flemish Pilotage Service in Vlissingen is operating at 50%. POAB towage services are running at 70% capacity, and the Left Bank remains staffed despite picket lines in Sint-Antonius. VTS and passage planning are fully operational, and all bridges are functioning. The Boudewijn and Van Cauwelaert locks remain out of service due to picket lines on the Scheldelaan. A total of 28 outbound and 35 inbound vessels are currently waiting with no forecast available.
In Zeebrugge, inbound and outbound shipping resumed on 26/11 at 07:30. Unpiloted and exempted traffic has restarted. Outbound pilotage is planned from 10:30, and inbound pilotage from 12:30. The PVD lock is operational. There are currently 10 outbound and 8 inbound vessels waiting.
For Antwerp, inbound and outbound sea traffic via the Wandelaar pilot station is suspended due to industrial action at the Zeebrugge Traffic Control Center until 26 November at 07:30. Inbound and outbound traffic is only possible via LKN. The Vlissingen pilotage service is on strike until at least 25 November at 07:30. Ship movements within the port area remain possible. Towage capacity is currently at 45%. VTS and passage planning are fully operational, and all locks and bridges are functioning normally. There are currently 33 outgoing and 37 incoming vessels waiting without any outlook for movement. Operations are only expected to restart tomorrow, once there is a clear picture of the actual availability and any possible further actions.
In Zeebrugge, inbound and outbound traffic for all shipping is suspended due to industrial action at the Zeebrugge Traffic Control Center until 26 November at 07:30. Ship movements within the port area remain possible, and the PVD lock is operational. There are 10 outgoing and 4 incoming vessels waiting.
Inbound and outbound sea traffic via the Wandelaar pilot dispatch station remains blocked until 26/11 at 07:30 due to industrial action, leaving only the northern route (LKN) available. The Vlissingen pilot launch service is suspended for Flemish pilots (Dutch pilots remain operational), but vessel movements within the port area are still possible. The Zandvliet Traffic Control Centre is operational, and inland navigation on the Scheldt can continue. Behind the locks, 80% of the tug fleet is available. VTS and passage planning are fully operational. All locks and bridges are functioning, with the exception of the Kallo, Zandvliet and Van Cauwelaert locks. Currently, 30 outbound and 34 inbound vessels are waiting without a clear outlook.
Inbound and outbound traffic for all shipping is blocked until 26/11 07:30 due to union action at the Traffic Control Centre. Shipping movements within the port area remain possible, and the PVD lock is operational. There are 6 outbound and 4 inbound vessels waiting.
The inbound and outbound traffic for seagoing vessels via the Wandelaar pilotage station is suspended due to industrial action at the Zeebrugge Traffic Centre, and this until 26 November at 07:30. The Flemish piloting service in Vlissingen was on strike from 24 November at 12:30 until 24 November at 19:30, causing six outbound vessels to be blocked at the anchorage areas in the Wielingen. Inbound and outbound traffic is only possible via LKN. Shipping movements within the port area remain possible.
The deployment of tugboats behind the locks is at 75%. VTS and passage planning remain fully operational (100%). All locks and bridges are functioning normally, with the exception of the Kallo, Zandvliet and Van Cauwelaert locks. At present, 13 outbound vessels are waiting with no prospect of departure, and 23 inbound vessels are waiting with no prospect of entering the port.
In Zeebrugge, inbound and outbound traffic for all shipping is completely suspended due to the industrial action at the Zeebrugge Traffic Centre, also until 26 November at 07:30. Shifting operations within the port area remain possible. The PVD lock is operational. In total, five outbound vessels and three inbound vessels are waiting with no prospect of movement.
The pilotage service in Vlissingen, which is responsible for transferring Flemish pilots to seagoing vessels to guide them to and from the ports, was completely suspended from 12:30 p.m. today. As a result, seagoing ships cannot enter or leave the Port of Antwerp, except for a limited number of vessels operating with Dutch pilots. In addition, access to the Port of Zeebrugge has been fully blocked from 7:30 p.m..
Today, during the day shift, no interruptions were reported in the nautical chain. From 19:30 this evening until 07:30 on Wednesday morning, the Zeebrugge Traffic Control Center will cease operations. As a result, piloting on LKW will not be possible and shipping traffic in the entire operational area will be halted. For Antwerp, piloting will remain possible only via LKN, but this will cause significant disruption from 19:30 onwards. The Kallo lock is out of service and tug availability is currently at 90%. Throughout the day, shipping traffic is continuously adjusted in line with the union actions.
The Zeebrugge Traffic Control Center will be closed from Monday, 24 November at 19:30 until Wednesday, 26 November at 07:30.
During this period, no pilotage via LKW will be possible.
We will provide further updates as soon as more information becomes available.
Due to union actions, there may be an impact on shipping traffic in the Port of Antwerp-Bruges. In the coming days, we expect to gain more clarity on the extent of this impact.