Congestion at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges has disrupted oil deliveries after a strike by harbour pilots left nearly 190 vessels waiting to berth or depart.
The disruption, which began earlier in October, has affected one of Europe’s key energy hubs.
According to Reuters, the backlog stems from industrial action by Belgian maritime pilots, who halted work in protest over staffing concerns and pay conditions.
Though the strike has ended, the resulting delays have continued, straining port operations .
The congestion is affecting vessel schedules, particularly for tankers transporting crude and refined products, with some operators diverting ships to alternative ports.
Analysts say the incident underscores the vulnerability of port logistics to labour disruptions .
While operations are now resuming, full clearance of the backlog may take several days.
The situation highlights the strategic importance of Antwerp-Bruges, which handles around 230 million tonnes of freight annually, including a significant share of Europe’s energy imports.
Recently, Code Rouge planned coordinated protest actions across several European countries from 10 to 12 October, with potential disruption expected at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges.
