150 ships waiting at Flemish ports as pilots’ strike continues
Almost 150 ships were waiting to enter or leave the ports of Antwerp, Zeebrugge and Ghent on Friday evening due to a maritime pilots’ strike, according to the Agency for Maritime and Coastal Services. The pilots’ association, BvL, plans to continue its industrial action until after the weekend.
According to a new update, 42 ships are waiting to leave the port of Antwerp, four Zeebrugge and seven Ghent. Meanwhile, 92 ships are waiting in the North Sea, 72 of which are heading for Antwerp, five for Zeebrugge and 15 for Ghent. A further 58 ships are sailing to and from the ports with a Flemish or Dutch pilot on board.
The three professional associations, AvK, BvL and OVL, and trade unions ACOD, ACV and VSOA, have been carrying out joint work-to-rule actions since 5 October, causing significant delays at ports.
During the strike, they are only working limited hours, disrupting vessel scheduling and increasing waiting times. Inland shipping traffic has also been affected, with several shipping companies forced to replan routes or delay cargo deliveries.
“Many vacancies in our country remain unfilled,” said BvL president Francis Baetens. “Flemish candidates opt for the Dutch pilotage system, which offers a higher salary, a better pension and a mandatory retirement age of 60.”
#FlandersNewsService | The Port of Antwerp © PHOTO PQR / VOIX DU NORD / PIERRE ROUANET
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