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Earlier this week, the Loadstar reported that major global ports, including Antwerp and Rotterdam, continue to face extended wait times, with the latest three-day Belgian strike from 24 to 26 November further disrupting operations and threatening to block vessel movements.

Maritime intelligence company Kpler warns that port congestion has become one of the most significant challenges in global maritime supply chains, directly impacting costs, revenue, and customer satisfaction. In Rotterdam, labour shortages have led to average waiting times of up to 13.9 days at some terminals, while the strike in Antwerp halted both vessel and cargo movements, delaying imports and exports on inland transport and across the region.

The ongoing congestion and labour actions are expected to create a cascade effect, causing vessels to miss scheduled windows at subsequent ports and leading to broader global disruptions. Carriers may respond by increasing vessel speeds to recover lost time, raising bunker fuel consumption and freight rates. Additional costs, such as demurrage and detention charges, and congestion surcharges, are likely to be passed on to shippers, further straining supply chains and inflating transport costs.