The industrial action began on Monday 9 March and has escalated throughout the week, culminating in a national strike day on Thursday 12 March. The strikes involve unions representing maritime professionals including port pilots and vessel traffic control personnel.

The dispute relates to proposed pension reforms introduced by the Belgian coalition government, which unions claim could reduce pension benefits by up to 25 percent. Negotiations between unions and the government have been ongoing for more than a year, with several demonstrations, strikes and slowdowns taking place during 2025.

This week’s action has led to operational disruptions across Belgian maritime infrastructure. Reduced pilot availability and traffic control services have slowed vessel movements in and out of ports, causing ships to queue offshore awaiting clearance.

Reports earlier in the week indicated that dozens of vessels were waiting in the North Sea, with a number of ships unable to depart Antwerp and additional vessels holding offshore awaiting access to both Antwerp and Zeebrugge. Some carriers have also cancelled scheduled port calls.

The Port of Antwerp-Bruges Authority has warned that disruption may continue throughout the week and that it could take several days for operations to normalise once strike action ends due to the backlog of vessels.

The strikes may also create knock-on effects for inland logistics networks, including barge, rail and road transport, potentially impacting container movements and onward distribution.

Woodland Group is monitoring the situation closely and working with carriers and partners to minimise disruption wherever possible. Customers with shipments moving through Belgium should anticipate potential delays and schedule adjustments while the situation continues to develop. For shipment-specific guidance, please contact your Woodland representative.