Cleaning operations progress in Antwerp after oil spill

Vessel movements have resumed in Antwerp as clean-up efforts continue following an oil spill during a bunkering operation on Friday.

IMAGE: Bunkering of vessel in the Port of Antwerp. Port of Antwerp

The Scheldt River was briefly closed to inbound and outbound traffic but has since reopened. The first new container vessels entered the port on Sunday.

As of Monday, several berths were available at Deurganck dock, where the spill occurred during bunkering operations on a container vessel, according to the latest update from the Port of Antwerp-Bruges. The affected container ships in the dock are being cleaned, the update said.

The Kieldrecht Lock has partially reopened, while the Zandvliet and Berendrecht locks are fully operational again.

Cleaning work is still under way at terminals on both riverbanks, as well as on affected vessels, at Galgenschoor and at the Lillo jetty, the port authority said.

The port authority said it could take a few more days for the clean-up to be completed.

By Nachiket Tekawade

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