by Manal Barakat, SeaNewsEditor
The Port of Antwerp has been significantly impacted by a recent nationwide strike, which caused disruptions across all terminals on 25 June. The strike added to the backlog of previous strikes staged this month.
Limited trucking availability and short periods for container release resulted in containers needing temporary storage, which eventually led to additional costs and delays.
The delayed arrivals of large container vessels have also affected the handling of inland vessels, with some terminals cancelling fixed slots for inland waterway shipments.
Kuehne+Nagel reports that the current barge congestion in Antwerp is causing delays of up to 90 hours.
On Wednesday, 25 June, nearly 50 commercial vessels experienced delays outside Antwerp as pilots at Vlissingen joined the strike.
According to World Cargo, the suspension of pilotage services could cost the port millions and extend the time needed to clear backlogs.
A spokesperson for the Port of Antwerp-Bruges highlighted, “Even if operations resume tomorrow [Thursday, 26 June], it will still take at least a day or two to recover.”
Belgium’s major trade unions have planned a series of national strikes this month in protest against government policies. The disruption impacted passenger transport, cargo transport, and airport flights.
Although the unions announce the strikes in advance, uncertainty remains to the last minute at ports, which hinders the ability to estimate the level of disruption in advance.
“Many different partners are operating in the port. On a national strike day, it’s always a bit unpredictable who will take part,” the spokesperson said.
Danish media Shipping Watch reports that Antwerp's port management expressed concerns about the long-term consequences for supply chains due to the strain on several European ports in recent months.
“We are concerned about the structural pressure in the longer term. If buffers disappear and congestion persists, more serious problems could arise,” said the port to Shipping Watch.
“That is why it is essential that we continue to invest in additional container capacity and more robust infrastructure, so that we can continue to absorb shocks and grow as a global port in the future.”
As of yet, seaexplorer data shows that nearly 25 container vessels are waiting at the anchorage areas of the North Sea. Many of these vessels are impacted by the ripple effect caused in Antwerp, affecting their schedules in Hamburg, Rotterdam and Le Havre.
For the latest port and vessel statuses or situation updates, please refer to the seaexplorer alert map.
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