Court orders minimum level of service in Port of Antwerp
The court of first instance in Antwerp has ordered measures "to prevent a blockade of the port of Antwerp", the court announced on Wednesday afternoon. On Tuesday, the court of West Flanders issued a similar order to guarantee access to Zeebrugge.
In recent days, Belgium's nautical chain has been taking action against the federal government's pension reform. The protest led to congestion. Because of the minimal service provision, at least a hundred ships were left waiting in the North Sea and near the ports of Antwerp and Ghent.
On Tuesday, a court in West Flanders ruled that any obstruction to maritime access to the port must stop. The Agency for Maritime Services and Coast then deployed sufficient personnel to lift the blockage. On Wednesday, the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, Alfaport and VeGHO initiated the same legal procedure, resulting in a similar ruling.
"The presiding judge ruled that the requested measures are urgent," the court said. "A complete blockade of the port could cause serious and difficult-to-repair economic damage to the port and the many companies that operate there."
"A complete blockade of the port could cause serious and difficult-to-repair economic damage"
In its assessment, the court weighed the right to collective action against the right to conduct business and the right to property. It ruled that measures are justified to prevent access to the port from being completely blocked.
In practice, the ruling orders the Agency for Maritime Services and Coast to ensure a minimum level of service so that ships can enter and leave the port of Antwerp within a reasonable period of time. It also prohibits actions that impede access to the port. In the event of a violation on Thursday, a penalty of 1,000 euros per hour may be imposed.
#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK
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