The Inchcape statement on the strike reads as follows:
We regret to inform you that all Belgian Union’s have announced a national strike in Belgium on Wednesday 09/11/2022. The action is in general aimed to obtain better protection from the government against erosion of the buying power of the working class.
After consulting the Cewez (Zeebrugge) and Cepa (Antwerp) organization, managing the dock labour pool , we received feedback that dock labour may not be available for operating the vessels and terminal handling activities on our compounds in Zeebrugge and Antwerp during that day. Unions will control follow up of the action on all terminals..
Our gates will be manned but probably nearly not accessible and only for limited services.
As a result we wish to ask you to take note of this unfortunate announcement and to take proper measures to avoid calling our terminals on 09/11/2022.
Meanwhile, Maersk states that the strike will be active for 24 hours and end at 6am tomorrow.
“Maersk teams are also aware of the potential strike action from the side of pilots, lock staff, and tugs. Our teams are keeping a close eye on how the situation develops and will keep you informed should any further strike action go ahead,” adds the Danish shipping giant.
Photo: Lode Van de Velde / publicdomainpictures.net / CC0 Public Domain