Belgium’s largest port complex ground to a near-standstill on 12 June as pilotage and dispatch personnel walked out over pay and staffing levels, part of a broader three-day national strike. News agency AK&M reports that container terminals on both the Scheldt and Zeebrugge sides processed only emergency calls, forcing several deep-sea vessels to divert to Rotterdam and Le Havre. The disruption hits just as automotive and chemical exporters ramp up pre-summer shipments. Logistics consultancy Portius estimates that each suspended pilotage slot delays cargo worth €22 million. Multinationals such as BASF and Volvo Cars activated contingency plans, shifting urgent components onto rail and road corridors via Aachen. Business-traveller mobility is also affected: ferry operator P&O cancelled two Zeebrugge–Hull sailings, while Eurostar advised passengers to expect knock-on crew shortages. Employers should alert staff to possible customs bottlenecks once normal operations resume, as backlog clearance can take 48–72 hours. Unions ACV-Transcom and BTB demand a 7 % wage indexation and stricter limits on maximum pilot shifts. The Federal Mobility Ministry has invited mediators, but warned it may requisition staff if navigation safety is compromised.
Source: AK&M Newswire
