The port authorities in Antwerp-Bruges, Belgium reported that the four-day strike by Flemish harbour captains against federal pension reforms has severely affected marine traffic.

The port of Antwerp, which normally processes 60-80 ships per day, only processed 31 vessels on February 2, with some ships being delayed or stranded, and others headed to other destinations.

Harbour pilots, who are responsible for navigating ships in dangerous or congested waters, have been working hard to establish a rule.

Maersk, the shipping company, said that the disruptions in traffic were expected to continue for the next few days. Reporting by Alban Kach Editing by Mark Potter

(source: Reuters)