Breakdown in Belgium
Port workers in Antwerp have been striking over the loss of index-linked pay rises and tax increases – action that is also affecting neighbouring ports.
Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS) said that the strike by port labourers was called by three national unions which this week had a “major” effect on shipping operations, with the ports of Zeebrugge, Ghent and Antwerp particularly affected.
A spokesperson for the Port of Antwerp told Port Strategy there was a backlog of 55 ships waiting to leave or enter the port during the strike. “Ship traffic was severely hampered by the strike and also the other sectors in the port – industry and logistics were working at a lower pace,” the spokesperson said.
Patrick van Huffelen, ISS general manager in Antwerp, confirmed to PS that the situation after the first strike is now back to normal, all traffic is moving in and out of the port normally and there are no delays.
But the trouble is that another general national strike is expected on 15 December 2014. The authorities are forecasting that this time though there will be less impact. However, Mr van Huffelen warned that because this is a national strike it would only take a couple of key people in crucial roles in the supply chain to disrupt port activities again.
ISS said it is keeping a close eye on future developments.
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