Update: 17.07.2026
The Port of Antwerp reported today that all port and vessel operations returned to normal after the cleaning process was completed.
"The MPET terminal on the west side of the Deurganckdok has been cleaned and declared safe," writes the port.
As of this morning, ships are allowed to berth, and operations are allowed to resume.
The toxic gas leak incident has reportedly affected several port workers with varying degrees.
Update: 16.07.2026
The latest updates from the Port of Antwerp report that air-quality monitoring continued overnight at the MPET terminal, and containers located near the source of the leak were unloaded and cleaned.
However, despite these measures, the safety perimeter remains in place, and MPET has not yet been authorised to resume operations.
Other affected locations had been cleared yesterday, and other terminals were permitted to restart operations, including DP World’s Antwerp Gateway terminal.
Shipping traffic also resumed throughout the Left Bank port area, and inland vessels in designated sections of the Deurganck Dock were allowed to depart.
The incident began on 14 July when toxic material leaked from a container, prompting the suspension of terminal activities, the evacuation of personnel and the activation of Belgium’s Medical Intervention Plan.
Original article: 15.07.2026
This morning, MSC has reported that operations at the Port of Antwerp were halted following a toxic gas leak from a container on Tuesday evening.
According to the carrier, terminal activities were immediately suspended, and personnel were evacuated as a precautionary measure.
MSC stated that the incident had significantly affected terminal activities. The affected terminals at the port are namely Quay 1700, Quay 1718, Quay 1742 and Medrep S11.
Belgian authorities activated the Medical Intervention Plan (MIP), while emergency and port authorities continued to monitor the situation.
Additional reports by the Brussels Times indicated that the leaking container was located in Waasland Port, Antwerp, near Deurganck Dock in Doel, where the vessel MSC Mia Summer II was berthed.
Emergency services, including the fire brigade, were deployed to investigate the substance involved and assess any potential risk to nearby residents.
Authorities established a safety perimeter around the affected area and began evaluating options for sealing the damaged container.
Assessments were also underway to determine whether the substance had affected the vessel’s structure or its cargo before any removal operation could proceed.
The carrier said operations were expected to resume at around 14:00 local time, subject to approval from the competent authorities.
In the surrounding area, bridges over the Kieldrecht Lock were closed, and shipping traffic was suspended as a precaution. Authorities also advised people to avoid the area around Quay 1742.
