Shipping around Belgium’s Port of Antwerp was disrupted on 10 April after an oil spill during a bunkering operation in the Deurganck Dock spread into the River Scheldt.
The port said the source of the spill had been stopped, but pollution spread overnight towards the Scheldt, prompting the activation of Operational Coordination in consultation with the Harbour Master.
Emergency services were mobilised to focus on containment and clean-up operations.
Traffic around the port was partially halted during the day. A port spokesperson told Reuters it was not immediately clear how long the disruption would last or how many vessels would be affected.
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In its update, Port of Antwerp-Bruges said the Scheldt was fully closed to traffic between buoy 80, above the Noordzeeterminal, and the entrance to the Deurganck Dock.
The Zandvliet and Berendrecht locks were also closed because of oil slicks, leaving the port temporarily inaccessible via the Scheldt.
The port also said vessels at the Europaterminal, several inland vessels near the Galgenschoor area, and a tugboat had been affected. It added that there was also a risk of impact on nearby nature areas.
Later on 10 April, the port said the Scheldt had reopened to shipping at 13:30 local time, although the Deurganck Dock remained closed until further notice.
Specialised vessels were continuing clean-up work, with priority given to the Deurganck Dock, the Noordzee and Europaterminal, and the Berendrecht-Zandvliet lock complex.
For more information:
Port of Antwerp-Bruges – https://www.portofantwerpbruges.com/en
