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The Loadstar reported on 17 March that the Antwerp Port Authority will create a task force to tackle persistent lengthy delays along its inland waterways. Port stakeholders have been informed that the port will work with private operators ASV and Alfaport to address the congestion crisis that has persisted across North Europe’s barge operations for the better part of a decade.

Delays have climbed up to 94 hours in the final week of February following the storms Eunice and Franklin. While they have improved in recent weeks to reach around 27 hours, several shipping companies threatened to divert their traffic from Antwerp because of these issues. A major part of the problem experienced by barge operators is however tied to the emergence of ultra-large container vessels (ULCVs), which sources said had flooded port terminals “ill equipped” to handle the increased number of boxes pouring in.

However, a barge owner said to the Loadstar that most of the problem is caused by “the way quay capacity is prioritised for the big container lines and their barges. This is not the most efficient way, as many of their barges are not fully loaded.” “We need to work collectively to ensure barge operators pool their loads and make better use of the limited quay capacity,” he added.

Source: The Loadstar