Update November 21, 2025
Update regarding the expected impact of the announced national actions. Please note that this remains an estimate, as the exact consequences of the strike are still difficult to predict.
Monday 24/11
At this stage, the trade unions have not issued a direct call to strike on Monday. However, they have stated that they will support any employees who decide to stop work.
Tuesday 25/11 and Wednesday 26/11
An official call for action has been announced for both Tuesday and Wednesday as part of the three-day protest against the government’s pension-related austerity plans.
We do not expect actions by the pilots or by the air traffic controllers in Antwerp, but we do anticipate actions by the traffic controllers in Zeebrugge as well as by Vloot (the transport company supporting the pilots).
Impact on the Port
The Port of Antwerp will remain operational, but with reduced capacity. This may result in delays or, in some situations, a temporary halt of certain activities. As is customary, trade unions will not provide advance notice to the affected parties, in order to maximise the effect of their actions.
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We would like to inform our customers and partners about the current situation in the Ports of Antwerp and Rotterdam, where recent industrial actions have caused delays and congestion.
Antwerp – Strike Suspended, Congestion Ongoing
The Port of Antwerp-Bruges has faced major disruptions due to the pilots’ protest against pension reforms.
The general strike ended as planned, and pilots’ actions were suspended on 18 October for a 10-day negotiation period. Should talks fail, strikes may resume.
Despite the suspension, Antwerp terminals remain heavily congested, with several vessels still awaiting entry and departure.
It is expected to take several days before operations return to normal levels.
Rotterdam – Strike Officially Ended
In Rotterdam, the lashing companies’ strike was officially declared over on 18 October, with no renewed action expected. Operations have mostly returned to normal, though capacity remains slightly below full efficiency.
Despite the end of strikes in both ports, significant backlogs remain.
According to the daily update, congestion for inland vessel handling is currently 50–70 hours in both Antwerp and Rotterdam. Antwerp continues to experience the heaviest delays, while Rotterdam is recovering faster.
At FREJA Transport & Logistics, we are working closely with our partners to adjust routes and schedules and minimize delays.
Our teams are monitoring developments daily to ensure the most efficient handling of our customers’ shipments and maintain transparent communication throughout the recovery period.