A powerful wave of industrial action has rocked one of Europe’s most critical logistics arteries. The Port of Antwerp-Bruges—Europe’s second-busiest seaport—has been severely impacted by a nationwide general strike in Belgium that commenced on April 29, 2025, bringing maritime operations to an abrupt slowdown.
Currently, 92 seagoing vessels are stuck in limbo: 59 awaiting departure within the port and 33 anchored offshore in the North Sea, unable to dock. The strike, launched in protest of government austerity reforms, has disrupted cargo flows, shipping schedules, and essential port operations, triggering a ripple effect across European trade corridors.
Despite the sweeping disruption, the port’s core infrastructure has shown resilience. Tug services are still operating at 90% capacity, all lock systems are fully manned, and traffic management within the docks continues—allowing for partial logistics continuity even as container movements remain severely hindered.
According to the Port Authority, efforts to resume full operations will begin in the early hours of April 30. However, clearing the backlog of delayed vessels is expected to take one to two days, depending on vessel queueing, tidal conditions, and available manpower.
The disruption at Antwerp is not an isolated local issue—it’s a flashpoint with far-reaching implications. The port handles over 290 million tonnes of cargo annually and serves as a critical link between European manufacturers and global markets in Asia, Africa, and the Americas. The delay in vessel handling has already prompted warnings from logistics firms about possible delivery delays, increased demurrage charges, and congestion risks at alternative hubs such as Rotterdam and Hamburg.
Industry analysts are flagging the incident as a case study in maritime vulnerability, where labor strikes intersect with global supply chains already under pressure from tight schedules and geopolitical uncertainty. For supply chain managers, this serves as a stark reminder of the importance of resilience planning, adaptive routing, and diversification of entry points.
Shipping companies, freight forwarders, and import/export stakeholders are advised to maintain real-time contact with local agents and port authorities for updated berthing schedules. Consideration of contingency plans—including rerouting cargo, expanding buffer inventory, or leveraging inland ports—may help mitigate further disruptions.
As Antwerp works to restore its flow of goods, the maritime sector is once again reminded that even the strongest ports are not immune to labor unrest. The coming days will test not only the port’s operational flexibility but the industry’s broader capacity to absorb shocks in a tightly interlinked trade environment.
