Container carriers and shippers are bracing for backlogs at the Port of Antwerp after ocean-carrier Hapag-Lloyd issued a customer advisory on 23 November flagging “potential port delays” from the evening of 23 November through 26 November. The warning follows notices from Antwerp port pilots and dock unions indicating they will respect picket lines during the national strike.
Antwerp handles Europe’s highest volume of chemical exports and is a key entry point for automotive parts bound for Germany. Even a 24-hour stoppage can cascade into week-long yard congestion because vessel berthing windows must be re-sequenced across North-European hubs.
![Port of Antwerp Warns of Strike-Related Delays as Logisticians Activate Contingency Plans]()
Forwarders have begun diverting time-sensitive cargo to Rotterdam and Zeebrugge, but truck-driver shortages and expected roadblocks around Belgian industrial zones threaten to shift bottlenecks upstream. Importers of perishables are rushing customs clearance and arranging reefer power guarantees in case containers dwell on quays longer than planned.
The port authority says emergency towage and fire services will remain operational, yet warns that terminal gate moves could be suspended if security staffing falls below minimum thresholds. Companies with globally mobile technicians scheduled to board vessels for maintenance should verify access passes, as launches may be cancelled.
While most labour actions at Antwerp are short-lived, analysts note rising militancy among pilotage staff after regional wage talks stalled. If a deal is not reached, further ‘working-to-rule’ actions could hit the run-up to the Christmas shipping peak, disrupting supply chains and expatriate household-goods shipments alike.
Antwerp handles Europe’s highest volume of chemical exports and is a key entry point for automotive parts bound for Germany. Even a 24-hour stoppage can cascade into week-long yard congestion because vessel berthing windows must be re-sequenced across North-European hubs.
Forwarders have begun diverting time-sensitive cargo to Rotterdam and Zeebrugge, but truck-driver shortages and expected roadblocks around Belgian industrial zones threaten to shift bottlenecks upstream. Importers of perishables are rushing customs clearance and arranging reefer power guarantees in case containers dwell on quays longer than planned.
The port authority says emergency towage and fire services will remain operational, yet warns that terminal gate moves could be suspended if security staffing falls below minimum thresholds. Companies with globally mobile technicians scheduled to board vessels for maintenance should verify access passes, as launches may be cancelled.
While most labour actions at Antwerp are short-lived, analysts note rising militancy among pilotage staff after regional wage talks stalled. If a deal is not reached, further ‘working-to-rule’ actions could hit the run-up to the Christmas shipping peak, disrupting supply chains and expatriate household-goods shipments alike.
