Operations at Belgium’s major Flemish ports — Antwerp, Zeebrugge, and Ghent — have come to a near standstill as a strike by maritime pilots enters its second week. On Sunday morning, around 91 ships were waiting to enter or depart the ports, according to port authorities.
The industrial action, led by the Pilots’ Professional Association (BvL), began after a breakdown in negotiations over pension reforms. The dispute traces back to a provisional agreement reached months ago between pilots and the federal government, which both parties now interpret differently.
The BvL argues that the government has failed to honour its commitments. “Everything was going well until last week,” the association said, claiming that no budget had been allocated to implement the agreed pension arrangement.
Pilots say they feel unfairly treated compared to others in the maritime sector. They warn that without pension indexation, their higher pensions could drop from €2,400 to €1,900, and that the “second pillar” of their pension scheme is not receiving equal treatment compared to other professions.
Francis Baetens, chairman of the BvL, voiced growing frustration among pilots, noting that many Flemish candidates now prefer working in the Dutch pilotage system, where pay, pensions, and working conditions are superior. “The Flemish government even subsidises the Dutch pilotage for ships they guide in Flemish ports,” he said.
Baetens also referred to an agreement made on June 2 between Flemish ministers Annick De Ridder and Jan Jambon and the pilots’ representatives. “After months of intensive collaboration with Minister De Ridder’s office, the government unexpectedly refused on 30 September to finalise the necessary preparations,” he stated. “This negligence directly violates the earlier agreement.”
Since October 5, three professional associations — AvK, BvL, and OVL — along with unions ACOD, ACV, and VSOA, have been carrying out coordinated “efficiency actions.” These slowdowns have severely disrupted port traffic, creating significant delays for cargo and logistics companies.
The situation has raised concerns about economic losses, as the ports of Antwerp-Bruges and Ghent play crucial roles in European trade. Businesses relying on just-in-time deliveries are already reporting shipment delays and rising costs.
Baetens concluded that pilots are ready to suspend their strike if the Flemish and federal governments confirm their commitment to the June 2 agreement and allocate the necessary funds to uphold the pension reforms.
Until then, Belgium’s busiest ports remain gridlocked — a stark reminder of the fragile balance between labour rights and economic continuity in the country’s maritime sector.
