Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS) Antwerp has reported that the unions represented in the National Joint Committee for the Port of Antwerp have called upon their members to participate in a national strike organised by Belgian trade unions.
The strike, which commenced at midnight on December 14, and will continue through to midnight on December 15, was called by national unions to protest against new measures being taken by the Belgian Federal Government.
ISS Antwerp expects severe disturbance to services in the Port of Antwerp, such as shortages of gangs and possible closure of the locks. All Belgian ports are likely to be similarly affected, as are the Belgian railway and Belgian Customs.
This is the second industrial action at the Port of Antwerp in less than a month, with the port workers staging a 24-hour strike on November 24 over pay rise cuts and tax increases.