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An oil spill in the Deurganckdock at the port of Antwerp-Bruges has forced authorities to close a stretch of the River Scheldt to shipping, disrupting traffic at one of Europe’s busiest maritime hubs and raising concerns about environmental damage.
The spill occurred during a bunkering operation early on Friday, port authorities said, adding that the source of the leak had been stopped and the vessels directly involved were being contained as cleanup crews worked on site.
Despite the initial containment, oil spread overnight from the Deurganckdock into the Scheldt, prompting authorities to halt all vessel movements between buoy 80, near the Noordzeeterminal, and the entrance to the dock. The Zandvliet and Berendrecht locks, critical access points for deep-sea shipping, were also closed due to oil slicks.
“As a result, the port is currently not accessible via the Scheldt,” the port authority said in a statement, noting significant disruption to both seagoing and inland shipping.
Several vessels have been affected, including ships at the Europaterminal, inland barges near the Galgenschoor nature area, and at least one tugboat, according to officials. Emergency services have been fully mobilised, with specialised teams deploying booms and skimmers to contain and recover the oil.
Authorities activated an operational coordination plan in consultation with the harbour master to manage the response, reflecting the scale of the incident and its potential impact on logistics and the environment.
The port of Antwerp-Bruges is a major gateway for petrochemicals and container traffic in Europe, and any prolonged closure of the Scheldt could have knock-on effects on regional supply chains.
Environmental concerns are also mounting, as the affected stretch of the Scheldt borders ecologically sensitive areas, including tidal marshes and bird habitats. Officials warned of a risk to nearby nature reserves but said efforts were focused on minimising ecological damage.
“We regret the impact of this incident on our port and the vulnerable nature areas along the Scheldt,” the port authority said, adding that protecting the environment remained “an absolute priority.”
Further updates are expected as cleanup operations continue and authorities assess when navigation can safely resume.
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