-- An oil spill at Antwerp's Deurganckdock has disrupted operations, closing key terminals and halting traffic, with cleanup ongoing, Port of Antwerp-Bruges said Friday.
The spill began during a bunkering operation, with the source quickly contained, though oil spread overnight into the Scheldt, impacting vessels and disrupting port operations.
Located along the Scheldt river, the Deurganck Dock remains closed even as broader river traffic resumes, the port authority said.
Authorities are focusing on clearing contamination before restoring full access to the dock and surrounding terminals, according to the Port of Antwerp.
Specialized vessels are actively removing oil across affected zones, including the Noordzee and Europaterminal areas, as authorities work to limit delays and safely restart operations at critical infrastructure, the port authority added.
Authorities are also monitoring riverbanks and nearby natural habitats alongside Civil Protection and regional agencies, focusing on limiting environmental damage and cleaning sensitive zones impacted by the spill, it added.
Earlier, shipping traffic was halted between key points on the Scheldt, while major locks were shut due to oil presence, leaving the port temporarily inaccessible and impacting inland and seagoing vessels, according to the port authority.
One of Europe's largest port hubs, Antwerp hosts major refineries run by Exxon Mobil (XOM) and TotalEnergies (TTE).
has separately reached out to Exxon Mobil and TotalEnergies for any comments.
Price: $152.95, Change: $-2.09, Percent Change: -1.35%