Transport companies should expect disruptions to road and sea traffic. Shipping to and from the port of Antwerp has been completely suspended. The two largest Belgian trade unions have joined the strike: the socialist ABVV/FGTB and the Christian ACV/CSC. Today’s protest is a continuation of the strike of March 31. Its participants oppose the pension reform planned by the new Belgian government, the reduction of unemployment benefits and budget cuts in the public services sector.
According to Belgian media reports, around 40 vessels are currently waiting to enter or leave the port of Antwerp. Maritime traffic in the port of Zeebrugge is proceeding smoothly so far.
The Zandvliet shipping traffic centre began gradually halting shipping on Monday afternoon in preparation for today’s paralysis. The disruption is likely to last at least until Wednesday, and full normalisation of traffic may not occur until Thursday.
“The port of Antwerp is also closed to inland navigation. On a typical day, at least a hundred ships use the port on inland routes,” reports the news portal 7sur7.be.
The strike also affected air transport. At Brussels Airport, departures were completely suspended, and half of arrivals were cancelled. Even greater disruptions are occurring in Charleroi, where all flights, both arrivals and departures, were cancelled.
