Strikes across Flemish waterways have hit operations at Antwerp – the second biggest container port in Europe.
Action by marine pilots and public service workers, which has spread across Flanders, Belgium, has resulted in lock closures and congestion, as unions VSOA and ACOD respond to reforms to the Flemish civil service statute.
The Port of Antwerp said the industrial action started on Monday, and it was “very hard to predict” how long it would last.
Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS) said on Thursday there were 49 ships waiting for arrival or departure at Antwerp, and raised concern that knock-on effects to wider supply chains could be expected if the strikes continued.
Read more in an article from The Loadstar.