Antwerp-Bruges Port Disruption: Strikes Halt Vessel Traffic

Major disruptions are impacting operations at the ports of Antwerp-Bruges and Zeebrugge, Belgium, due to ongoing and planned strike action by sea pilots and maritime traffic controllers. The disputes center on proposed pension reforms, threatening significant delays for dozens of vessels and impacting the broader supply chain.

Current Situation (March 10, 2026)

As of Tuesday morning, March 10, 2026, the situation at the ports is as follows:

• Antwerp: Dutch pilots are currently available, operating via Pilot Station North. 21 vessels are inbound, and 3 are outbound.
• Zeebrugge: 4 ships are waiting to depart, and 8 are waiting to enter the port.
• Ghent: No data is currently available for the port of Ghent.
• Delays: Approximately 45 ships traveling to or from Antwerp and 26 ships in Zeebrugge are experiencing delays.

Strike Details and Timeline

The current disruption began on Monday when members of the ACOD socialist trade union initiated a protest at the radar tower in Zeebrugge, which controls maritime traffic. Sea pilots joined the strike from midnight on March 10th. The Agency for Maritime Services and the Coast (MDK) reports that only essential safety staff are on duty, slowing ship movements.

Further industrial action is planned:

• March 11, 2026, 10:00 AM: 20 ACOD Pilots are scheduled to start a strike. It is anticipated that pilot unions VSAO and ACV, along with tender vessels, will also participate.
• March 11, 2026, 7:30 PM: The Zandvliet Vessel Traffic Centre will cease operations, preventing vessel movements to and from the Port of Antwerp via the river. Shifting within port limits will remain possible if no river passage is required.
• March 12, 2026: A national strike is scheduled, potentially causing further disruptions to port and logistics operations.

Operational Restrictions

Several restrictions are currently in place:

• Vessels with a draft of less than 7.5 meters may proceed without restrictions.
• Vessels with a maximum draft of approximately 8.5 meters are subject to tidal restrictions.
• Vessels exceeding a draft of 8.5 meters cannot use the westbound route due to the strike at the Traffic Control Centre (TCC) in Zeebrugge.

Pension Dispute

The core of the dispute lies in proposed pension reforms by the Federal Government. Maritime workers and unions argue that these changes could reduce pensions for workers in the sector by around 25%. Negotiations regarding pensions for sea pilots and maritime traffic controllers have been ongoing for over a year.

Safety Measures

Despite the strike action, authorities maintain that safety is being guaranteed by keeping a minimum number of staff on duty to respond to emergencies.

Previous Disruptions

Similar disruptions occurred in November 2025, when inbound and outbound sea traffic via the Wandelaar pilot station in Antwerp was suspended due to industrial action at the Zeebrugge Traffic Control Center.