Antwerp (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The strike at the Zandvliet traffic centre in the Port of Antwerp has halted operations, leaving over 200 boats stranded, costing businesses around 1 million euros per hour. Skippers Marius and Ravache are affected.
The Port of Antwerp is halted because of a strike at the Zandvliet traffic centre. The centre guides ships in and out of the port; without it, ships can’t move. Bargemen like Marius, a Polish skipper, are stuck waiting on the Albert Canal.
Marius was supposed to load cargo in Rotterdam tomorrow, April 30, 2025, but now he can’t get there because of the strike. He mentioned that if he doesn’t leave soon, he won’t be able to reach Rotterdam until Friday, May 2, 2025, because of the May 1st holiday. He will lose money and have to change his schedule.
“If I don’t get to Rotterdam tomorrow because of this, I won’t be able to charge until Friday due to the holiday on May 1st”
Inland skipper Marius
How is the strike at the Zandvliet traffic centre impacting the port of Antwerp and local businesses?
Other workers, like maritime pilots and public service workers, have also been on strike recently. They are upset about changes to their jobs and want better working conditions. They mentioned that no one knows when the strike will end, and this could affect the port for a long time.
According to officials, the strike is part of a broader labour dispute involving Flemish waterways, with unions demanding improved working conditions and greater dialogue with port authorities.
The strike’s impact extends beyond individual bargemen, affecting the entire port’s efficiency and disrupting the flow of goods. The situation remains uncertain, with no immediate resolution in sight.
“We are forced to stop, but this is our livelihood“
Inland skipper Pascal Ravache
According to Pascal Ravache, it started because workers are upset about changes to their work rules. This has closed locks and made it hard for boats to move. There are over 200 boats stuck in the waterways.
Officials mentioned that the Port of Antwerp is very important for trade, and the strike is costing about 1 million euros every hour. Even after the strike ends, it will take 2 days for everything to get back to normal.
