![Le gigantesque port d'Anvers, avec ses dizaines de kilomètres de quais, est le deuxième port de marchandises d'Europe après Rotterdam, aux Pays-Bas voisins. [ERIC PIERMONT / AFP]](/cdn-cgi/image/onerror=redirect,width=640,height=640,format=webp/https://storage.googleapis.com/uploads.mongoosehq.com/url/media/122490322/c3f2acd069887e0717fa4acaeb1b4bfcda6a2bfd6b024771c2a5d5e615a55d02)
Overview
- Port of Antwerp-Bruges said the Scheldt reopened to navigation Friday afternoon, allowing a gradual restart while the Deurganck dock and nearby locks stay closed for cleanup.
- The spill began during a ship-to-ship refuelling at the Deurganckdok on Thursday evening, was stopped on the vessels, and oil drifted into the river overnight.
- Following Friday’s shutdown of the estuary’s main approach, authorities blocked the Zandvliet and Berendrechts locks, which left many ships waiting to move.
- The operator reported 21 outbound ships, 24 inbound, and 3 being relocated affected by the halt, and it has not yet disclosed how much oil entered the water.
- MSC confirmed one of its ships was involved as officials and advocates warned of risks to sensitive wetlands such as the Doel polder, a concern that could outlast the traffic delays at Europe’s No. 2 cargo port.