Europe’s key ports paralyzed as strikes hit Rotterdam and Antwerp

Operations at Europe’s two busiest ports—Rotterdam and Antwerp-Bruges—have been severely disrupted as parallel strikes by dockworkers and harbour pilots bring cargo movements to a near halt.

In the Netherlands, container handling at the Port of Rotterdam was suspended on Wednesday afternoon after lashers launched a 48-hour strike demanding higher wages. The industrial action, led by Dutch union FNV, involves workers from International Lashing Services and Matrans Marine Services, who downed tools at 15:15 local time. The walkout, which will continue until the same time on Friday, means vessels cannot be loaded or unloaded during the period, as lashers are responsible for securing containers aboard ships.

The Port of Rotterdam Authority confirmed the shutdown would delay vessel turnaround times across major terminals, though the full extent of the disruption remains unclear. Several container ships are already facing prolonged laytime as a result.

Meanwhile, in neighboring Belgium, ongoing protests by Flemish harbour pilots at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges—Europe’s second-largest — are compounding regional congestion. The pilots, represented by the Beroepsvereniging van Loodsen, have restricted their operations to regular office hours to oppose federal pension reforms they say unfairly reduce their future benefits.

The slowdown has slashed the port’s throughput, with only 31 vessels handled on Tuesday compared to the usual 60–80. By Wednesday morning, more than 100 ships were reportedly waiting to enter or depart, forcing some carriers to reroute cargo to alternative ports.

Negotiations between the Belgian government and the pilots’ union remain deadlocked, with neither side showing signs of compromise. The simultaneous disruptions in Rotterdam and Antwerp — key nodes for European container and energy flows — have sparked concern among shippers and logistics providers. Industry observers warn that prolonged strikes could ripple through North Europe’s supply chains, straining schedules, equipment availability, and hinterland transport links in the coming days.