As of 5 October, a pilot strike is taking place with disruption in Europe’s second largest port, Antwerp-Bruges. Reports from the port authority are saying that there are 54 vessels in Antwerp for which no pilotage schedule has yet been set, and 32 vessels that are experiencing delays.
“There is still congestion,” said the Port of Antwerp-Bruges on Tuesday, October 7, confirming that in Zeebrugge, the queue currently consists of 7 outbound and 4 inbound vessels.
“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,” the port warned.
Additionally, the Port of Rotterdam is experiencing delays due to a lasher strike that began at 3:15 p.m. on Wednesday, 8 October, after the unions’ ultimatum to employers expired earlier that morning at 9:00 a.m. According to the unions, support for the strike among lashers is high. Around 700 workers are expected to take part, said Niek Stam, director of the FNV Havens union. The action is expected to bring operations at Europe’s largest port to a standstill, with significant delays to the loading and unloading of vessels.
The strike follows months of failed negotiations over a new collective bargaining agreement. The main point of contention remains the level of salary increases.
Sources: Shipping Telegraph, World Cargo News
PSA BDP will continue to share additional updates as they become available.
