Negotiations over pensions in the maritime sector have been ongoing for more than a year. Seafarers earn significantly less than maritime pilots

The unions are pushing for a comprehensive agreement that covers everyone in the nautical chain.

A standstill is imminent for Belgium's maritime lifeline after an urgent advisory was issued by Inchcape Shipping Services. The advisory confirmed that the Zandvliet Vessel Traffic Centre ceased operations at 7:30 p.m. CET on March 11, 2026. The closure, triggered by a strike of 20 ACOD maritime pilots and expected solidarity action from the VSAO and ACV unions, means that no vessels will be able to enter or leave the Port of Antwerp via the tidal river until further notice.

The worst timing, though: Antwerp–Bruges is Europe’s second-largest container hub and a critical gateway for automotive, chemical, and breakbulk supply chains serving Germany, France, and the Netherlands. Inchcape has 39 seagoing ships listed as "without prospects" for a berth, and another 21 inbound vessels are waiting offshore.

Guarantee the safety of westbound passages

Shifting is still possible within port limits, but any movement requiring river passage is off-limits. Draft restrictions compound the chaos. Ships with a draft of more than 8.5 meters may be rerouted because the Joint Nautical Authority (a Belgian-Dutch body) cannot guarantee the safety of westbound passages during the industrial action. Congestion is expected downstream in Zeebrugge and Ghent as operators seek alternative terminals.

Brussels Times

With a national strike also scheduled for today 12 March

With a national strike also scheduled for today 12 March, logistics experts warn of a cascading effect: truck slots, rail paths and inland barge timetables will mis-align, driving demurrage costs higher just as shippers pivot inventories ahead of Easter. Multinationals are already activating contingency clauses in time-sensitive contracts and investigating feeder services via Rotterdam or Le Havre. Human-resources departments should alert expatriate staff reliant on household moves or time-critical project cargo.   caught in the backlog could face week-long delays, underscoring the importance of flexible arrival windows in assignment letters.

Related :Port of Antwerp- :Total halt amid traffic control and pilot strikes

Warne of disruption owing to another national strike day

.Notably, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges warned of disruption owing to another national strike day that will take place on March 12,.A day before the strike was announced, updates were provided on operations within the ports of Antwerp and Zandvliet .Boat service in Vlissingen is still not operational, which means no Belgian pilots can be deployed for inbound and outbound sea-going traffic. Maritime traffic is therefore only possible with Dutch pilots.All locks and tugboats in the port are available and ship movements within the docks can continue. Currently, 50 inbound vessels and 39 outbound vessels are waiting for Antwerp.

Some operations have resumed briefly at LKW and Zandvliet. 

Meanwhile, the Wandelaar Pilot Station (LKW) and the Zandvliet Traffic Center have resumed operations. However, the boat service in Vlissingen is not currently operational, meaning Belgian pilots cannot be deployed for inbound or outbound seagoing traffic. Therefore, maritime traffic is only possible with Dutch pilots. The Zeebrugge Traffic Center is operational again, but some Flemish pilots are still on strike. Consequently, there are currently no pilots available for inbound or outbound traffic in Zeebrugge. Pilot-exempt vessels can enter and leave the port

16 inbound and 7 outbound vessels are waiting for Zeebrugge,

Currently, 16 inbound and 7 outbound vessels are waiting for Zeebrugge, but a very limited number of Flemish pilots are available. Tender swaths are on strike. Ship movements are planned as efficiently as possible, and the Pierre Vandamme lock, tugboats, and boatmen are available. Currently, 15 inbound and 9 outbound vessels are waiting for Zeebrugge. Pilot-exempt vessels can enter and leave the port.

Monitor the situation inside the port

The Port of Antwerp-Bruges authority said it was closely monitoring the situation and would provide updates when they became available. It is warning shipping to expect disruptions all week, and in the past it had said it would take days to clear the backlogs that had built up. 

Pensions in the maritime sector

On the other hand, negotiations over pensions in the maritime sector have been ongoing for more than a year. Sailors earn significantly less than maritime pilots, but the unions want a comprehensive agreement that covers everyone in the nautical chain. This would include maritime traffic controllers in control towers and the crews of Vloot, the service responsible for the technical and operational management of government vessels, according to Belgian media.

Union representatives say that politicians are unwilling to negotiate. "The work-to-rule actions will continue," they announced on Tuesday, signaling an increase in pressure. On Thursday, the joint trade union front is planning a major protest in Brussels against the federal pension reform. No immediate breakthrough appears to be in sight

.Threaten to withhold the provision of goods 

Meanwhile, the provision of goods to commercial enterprises and industrial entities is being jeopardized.
The repercussions of labor actions are also being felt at North Sea Port, which encompasses installations in Ghent and Vlissingen. "The supply of goods to businesses and industry is being compromised," a spokesperson warned. Several ships have been unable to enter or leave Ghent.

Related : The Port of Antwerp will have its own air defence system by 2027 to counter drone threats

Source : Agencies + Images :Belgian Media

#ACV unions # Port of Antwerp #Zeebrugge #Seafarers #Pilots #(LKW) #Vlissingen #Maritime Teraffic #Strike #North Sea Port