An oil spill at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges on 10 April has been causing significant disruption. The spill occurred during a bunkering operation in the Deurganck Dock.
Although the source was quickly stopped and the directly involved seagoing vessels were contained for active clean-up operations, the pollution spread further towards the Scheldt overnight, making this route inaccessible for a number of hours. The Zandvliet and Berendrecht locks were also closed due to the presence of oil slicks. In addition to the source location, vessels at the Europaterminal, several inland vessels near the Galgenschoor area, and a tugboat have been affected. The risk of impact on nearby nature areas is being assessed so that clean-up operations can also be initiated there where necessary.
The North Sea Terminal and the Europa Terminal are now fully cleared for use and the terminals in the Deurganckdok are operational. Quay walls and ships are still being cleaned on part of the western side as are inland vessels at the Galgenschoor inland waterway jetty.
