Ship delays as maritime workers extend strike in Belgian ports

Shipping traffic at major Belgian ports has been disrupted after sea pilots and maritime traffic controllers extended their strike action on Tuesday.

According to the Agency for Maritime Services and Coast (MDK), the protest has slowed ship movements, with only essential safety staff on duty.

At present, 26 ships are waiting in the North Sea. 18 vessels are delayed in the ports of Antwerp and Ghent. In Zeebrugge, four ships are waiting to leave the port and eight are waiting to enter.

The action began on Monday when members of the socialist union ACOD started a protest at the radar tower in Zeebrugge, where maritime traffic is controlled. Sea pilots joined the strike from midnight.

In total, around 45 ships travelling to or from Antwerp and 26 ships in Zeebrugge are affected by delays.

The dispute centres on pension reforms. Maritime workers and unions say the proposed federal changes could reduce pensions for workers in the sector by about 25 per cent compared with previous arrangements. Negotiations over the issue have been ongoing for more than a year.

Despite the strike, authorities say safety is still guaranteed because a minimum number of staff remain on duty to respond to emergencies.

The action is expected to continue until 7.30pm on Tuesday, and further disruption to shipping traffic is possible.

^{#FlandersNewsService | Port of Antwerp © BELGA PHOTO NICOLAS MAETERLINCK}