Cleanup operations at the Port of Antwerp are still ongoing following a major oil spill that occurred during a bunkering operation on 9 April.
The port authority officially reported the incident on 10 April, confirming that oil released at Deurganck Dock had spread into the Scheldt River. Local media identified the vessel MSC Denmark VI as the source of the spill, citing a crack in its hull that caused oil to leak during bunkering. Emergency services were immediately deployed to contain the situation.
As a precaution, shipping traffic along a key stretch of the Scheldt River near the port entrance was temporarily suspended and the Zandvliet and Berendrecht locks were closed to prevent further spread of the oil.
As stated, the spill affected several vessels operating in the port, including ships at a main container terminal, nearby inland vessels, and a tugboat. By 10 April, navigation on the Scheldt River resumed, although Deurganck Dock remained closed. Cleanup efforts intensified with specialized vessels deployed to heavily impacted areas such as the Noordzee Terminal, Europaterminal, and surrounding lock complexes.
Furthermore, on 11 April, operations began to normalize as the Berendrecht Lock reopened overnight, followed by the Zandvliet Lock, while cleanup activities continued. Conditions further improved on 12 April, with cleanup vessels gradually leaving terminals and new ships beginning to enter the port.
By 13 April, multiple berths at Deurganck Dock had reopened, and all major locks, including Zandvliet and Berendrecht, were operational again, while Kieldrecht became partially accessible. Authorities confirmed that extensive cleanup efforts were still in progress and expected to continue for several more days.
As of 14 April, the eastern side of Deurganck Dock has resumed operations, while cleaning continues along the quay walls and vessels on the western side. The North Sea Terminal is partially operational, with final vessels undergoing cleaning.
At the Europa Terminal, cleanup work is still ongoing on both ships and quay walls. Inland shipping access has improved, with the Lillo-Zuid waiting jetty back in service, though cleaning operations continue at Galgenschoor.
Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, while the terminal operators have initiated a joint inquiry into the oil spill.
Source : Safety4sea
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