Antwerp port authority aims to solve congestion with better labor deals: CEO

Antwerp's port authority will support Flemish pilots and the government in reaching better labor deals to limit future disruptions, a top port official said Oct. 21, after Europe's second-largest port experienced its worst delays in years.

The backlog at the Belgian port grew to more than 160 ships earlier this month after BvL, the pilots' union, launched industrial action over the government's pension reforms.

"It's the Flemish government who is in charge of these negotiations and discussions, but we will support and try to find a new way of working," Port of Antwerp-Bruges CEO Jacques Vandermeiren told Platts on the sidelines of the Global Maritime Forum.

The disruptions led to higher barge costs and pushed up oil product prices, as traders struggled with logistical challenges to move their cargoes.

As some barges were trapped at Antwerp, the cost of Antwerp-Amsterdam freight rose quickly from Eur3.17/mt on Oct. 8 to Eur4.05/mt Oct. 21, Spotbarge data showed.

BvL has suspended its strike until Oct. 24 as a show of goodwill during negotiations. The union said in a statement it aims to find a final resolution by the end of November.

"Everything is, for the time being, under control," Vandermeiren said. "So, we will try to solve the pension discussion and a new scheme for the pilots."

"Hopefully, before the end of the year, we'll have signed a completely new settlement that is reliable for the coming years."

Congestion has eased significantly at Antwerp in recent days, resulting in a downward correction of some product prices. Platts assessed Eurobob gasoline differentials to November swaps at $24/mt on Oct. 20, a sharp drop from $50.25/mt four days prior on Oct. 16.

The Port of Antwerp-Bruges reported throughput of about 55.9 million mt of liquid bulk in cargo between January and September, of which oil products accounted for 62%.