Port of Antwerp-Bruges, NxtPort and The Way Forward announce the full go-live of the Inbound Release Platform (IRP), the digital platform 

Seagoing access to the Port of Antwerp-Bruges has largely stopped after pilotage and traffic control staff joined Belgium’s three-day national strike, the company said in a news release.

The port authority reports that the Wandelaar pilot dispatch station has been closed since the evening of 24 November and will remain shut until 07:30 on 26 November. Only the LKN route is open, but capacity is limited by a pilot launch strike in Vlissingen, where Flemish pilot transfers were suspended from 12:30 to 19:30 on 24 November.  

Zeebrugge’s Traffic Control Centre closure forced 

By 19:30 on 24 November, Zeebrugge’s Traffic Control Centre closure forced Antwerp to halt all seagoing movements via Wandelaar, leaving 13 outbound and 23 inbound vessels waiting.Tug availability dropped to around three quarters of normal, and the Kallo, Zandvliet and Van Cauwelaert locks were out of service.At 07:30 on 25 November, 30 outbound and 34 inbound ships were waiting, with about 80% of tugs behind the locks available but the same three locks still shut

Zeebrugge has been fully closed

Zeebrugge, the coastal part of the unified Antwerp-Bruges port, has been fully closed to inbound and outbound traffic since 19:30 on 24 November, also until 07:30 on 26 November. Six outbound and four inbound ships were waiting offshore on 25 November.

Internal harbour movements and the PVD lock remain available but do not ease seaward congestion.  The effects extend to North Sea Port, where the same Zeebrugge closure and the Vlissingen pilot launch strike prevent sea-going ships from entering or leaving unless they use Dutch pilots.

12 vessels bound for Ghent had been affected

By Monday afternoon, 12 vessels bound for Ghent had been affected, with the port expecting “dozens” in the following days; by Tuesday morning, 14 ships were impacted.  The stoppage forms part of a national strike by ABVV/FGTB, ACV/CSC and ACLVB from 24 to 26 November in opposition to federal budget and pension plans.AGF.nl reported the Zeebrugge closure would last 36 hours, halting pilotage via the LKW route, while Nieuwsblad  Transport noted “dozens of ships” already waiting on 25 November.  

278 million tonnes of cargo in 2024

AGF.nl reported the Zeebrugge closure would last 36 hours, halting pilotage via the LKW route, while Nieuwsblad Transport noted “dozens of ships” already waiting on 25 November.  

Antwerp-Bruges handled 278 million tonnes of cargo in 2024, with growth in containers and chemical goods. Even short disruptions risk pushing congestion to other North European hubs. Some carriers, including Hapag-Lloyd, had warned customers of likely delays.The stoppage follows an October pilots’ strike that left about 110 ships waiting. 

Related : Zeebrugge breaks records – giant container ships in the port

Launching the Inbound Release Platform (IRP)

On the other hand Port of Antwerp-Bruges, NxtPort and The Way Forward announce the full go-live of the Inbound Release Platform (IRP), the digital platform that supports the port community in implementing the new European customs legislation for incoming goods. After an extensive test phase with terminals, shipping agents and logistics players, IRP will be further scaled up in almost all segments in the coming weeks: containers, RoRo, ferry and breakbulk.

Related : PSA Antwerp: Newest member Zero Emission Port Alliance- ZEPA

Port of Antwerp-Bruges , NxtPort ,Platform (IRP) ,Zeebrugge’s Traffic ,pilot strikes ,national strike , Nieuwsblad Transport