Strikes reignite congestion at key North European ports
Strikes at Antwerp-Bruges and Rotterdam see containership queues begin to build
Industrial action from lashing companies in Rotterdam and pilots in Antwerp-Bruges expected to cause severe delays and significantly impact vessel operations over the next few days
NORTHERN Europe’s major ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp-Bruges are facing fresh congestion due to further industrial action.
In Rotterdam, workers from the International Lashing Service and Matrans Marine Service walked out on October 8 at 1515 hrs because of an ongoing labour dispute concerning working conditions and pay. The strike is scheduled to last until Friday, October 10 at 1515 hrs.
Danish line Maersk said vessels alongside will experience delays and interruptions when discharging, with vessel operations “significantly impacted”.
Meanwhile, Antwerp-Bruges is suffering significant congestion of its own as a result of industrial action.
The Professional Association of Pilots started work-to-rule action on Sunday, October 5 for an indefinite period, meaning pilots will only work between 8000 hrs and 1700 hrs.
The action has left scores of vessels awaiting pilotage services to enter the two ports, which is mandatory in both Antwerp and Zeebrugge.
As of 1900 hrs on Wednesday, October 8, the port of Antwerp-Bruges said there were 71 vessels without a “confirmed planning”, that is without a confirmed berth or timeslot at Antwerp. In Zeebrugge, 10 vessels were left without a plan.
The port authority said it was “making every effort to plan vessel movements as efficiently as possible and to minimise waiting times”. As of 0700 hrs on October 9, the number of vessels waiting for an entry slot into Antwerp had reduced but still remained at 65.
The scale of the congestion is displayed quite clearly on Lloyd’s List Intelligence’s Seasearcher platform.
More than 20 containerships were anchored outside the ports as of 1100 hrs on October 9, versus just four on October 5.
Again, Maersk warned its customers of “severe delays” to vessel arrivals and departures at both Antwerp and Zeebrugge over the next few days.
The latest delays in Rotterdam and Antwerp follow varying degrees of congestion at port across northern Europe so far this year, as reported by Lloyd’s List.
Adjustments to carrier alliances have taken its toll alongside low water levels that have restricted barge movements in the hinterland, and sustained periods of industrial action. The issue has only been exacerbated by a sustained period of strong demand, including near record volumes in the first half of 2025.
