2025-10-02

Crisisupdate: pilots’ action and national strike cause disruptions in the port

Since Sunday, October 5, Flemish pilots have been carrying out actions in protest against the federal pension reforms. In addition, a national strike day is planned for Tuesday, October 14, which will cause further disruptions in the port of Antwerp-Bruges. We are closely monitoring the situation and will keep you informed of the latest developments through this page.

Antwerpen: 13/10/2025 - 15:00

Due to union actions at the Zandvliet Traffic Control Center, maritime traffic – including inland navigation – to and from Antwerp is suspended from Monday, October 13 at 19:30 until Wednesday, October 15 at 07:30.

This afternoon at 13:00, coordination began with inbound vessels bound for Antwerp to prepare for the planned suspension, allowing vessel traffic to be gradually brought to a halt by 19:30 this evening. Departure clearances are also being adjusted in line with this action.

To comply with the imposed suspension, vessels – both seagoing and inland – will not be able to pass through the locks towards the Scheldt during this period.

In the coming hours, we will gain more clarity on the impact of the strike on our own services, such as the operation of bridges, locks, and the towing service.

Zeebrugge: 13/10/2025 - 15:00

The actions by the pilots continue unchanged, but subject to additional union actions by partners, it currently appears that vessel traffic will again be possible, albeit with the same restrictions. The situation will be reassessed around 19:30 this evening.

Update 13/10/2025 - 07:00

In Antwerp, there are this morning 93 vessels without a known schedule and 19 vessels experiencing delays. 

In Zeebrugge, 12 vessels are experiencing delays. 

Update 12/10/2025 - 07:00

In Antwerp, there are this morning 81 vessels without a known schedule and 31 vessels experiencing delays. 

In Zeebrugge, 11 vessels are experiencing delays. 

Update 11/10/2025 - 07:00

In Antwerp, there are this morning 81 vessels without a known schedule and 27 vessels experiencing delays. 

In Zeebrugge, 13 vessels are experiencing delays. 

Update 10/10/2025 - 19:00

In Antwerp, there are this evening currently 85 vessels without a confirmed planning. 

In Zeebrugge, there are 11 vessels for which no planning is yet available.

The next update will follow on the morning of 11 October.

Update 10/10/2025 - 07:00

In Antwerp, there are this morning 90 vessels without a known schedule and 22 vessels experiencing delays. 

In Zeebrugge, 8 vessels are without a known schedule and 8 vessels are experiencing delays. 

Update 9/10/2025 - 19:00

In Antwerp, there are currently 85 vessels without a confirmed planning and 5 vessels experiencing delays. 

In Zeebrugge, there are 13 vessels for which no planning is yet available.

The next update will follow on the morning of 10 October.

Update 9/10/2025 - 07:00

In Antwerp, there are this morning 65 vessels without a known schedule and 27 vessels experiencing delays. 

In Zeebrugge, 7 vessels are experiencing delays.

Update 8/10/2025 - 19:00

As a result of the pilots’ action, which started on Sunday 5 October, a significant number of vessels have been delayed on both inbound and outbound traffic. We are making every effort to plan vessel movements as efficiently as possible and to minimize waiting times.

In Antwerp, there are currently 71 vessels without a confirmed planning and 12 vessels experiencing delays. In Zeebrugge, there are 10 vessels for which no planning is yet available.

The next update will follow on the morning of 9 October.

Update 8/10/2025 - 07:00

In Antwerp, there are this morning 54 vessels without a known schedule and 34 vessels experiencing delays. In Zeebrugge, 1 vessel is without a known schedule and 19 vessels are experiencing delays.
 

Update 7/10/2025 - 19:00

In Antwerp, there are currently 63 vessels without a known schedule and 4 vessels experiencing delays. In Zeebrugge, the queue consists of 6 outgoing and 6 incoming vessels.

Update 7/10/2025 - 09:00

There is still congestion, with 54 vessels in Antwerp for which no pilotage schedule has yet been set and 32 vessels experiencing delays. In Zeebrugge, the queue currently consists of 7 outbound and 4 inbound vessels.

Update 6/10/2025 - 19:00

Same status as this morning. There is some congestion, with 27 outgoing and 36 incoming vessels in Antwerp awaiting pilotage services. In Zeebrugge, the queue consists of 4 outgoing and 4 incoming vessels.

Update 6/10/2025 - 07:00

Both pilot dispatch stations are currently operational. There is some congestion, with 29 outgoing and 22 incoming vessels in Antwerp awaiting pilotage services. In Zeebrugge, the queue consists of 5 outgoing and 5 incoming vessels.

The Flemish pilotage services operate during established office hours, from 08:00 to 17:00. Shipping operations are scheduled as efficiently as possible to ensure smooth traffic flow.

Update 5/10/2025 - 10:30

Since midnight, the pilots are conducting a work-to-rule action for an indefinite period.. They are combining office hours with maximum rest. This means that Flemish pilots are assigned between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. and ships are manned from 10 a.m. at the earliest to 5 p.m. at the latest.

 

At present, pilot services are still suspended due to weather conditions. They are expected to resume in the course of the afternoon.

 

This action will cause serious disruption to the resumption of shipping to and from Antwerp and Zeebrugge, with severe disruptions to arrivals and departures in the coming days.

 

Update 4/10/2025 - 13:00

There is no indication yet as to the type of action and its possible impact on our port.

As soon as we have more information, we will post it on this page.


 

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