Shipping operations remain suspended in part of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges after a hydrofluoric acid leak was discovered aboard a cargo vessel, according to Ship & Bunker.
The incident occurred on Tuesday at Deurganck Dock, where a damaged container carrying hydrofluoric acid began leaking aboard the vessel Mia Summer II, Port of Antwerp-Bruges said in a notification cited by Ship & Bunker. Several workers reportedly became unwell as a result and were taken to hospital, prompting authorities to activate emergency response procedures.
Emergency Measures Put in Place
According to the report, port authorities established a safety zone around the affected quay following the leak. Nearby bridges were closed to traffic, and emergency response teams conducted air quality checks in the surrounding area to assess the extent of any airborne hazard.
By Wednesday morning, the release of hydrofluoric acid vapour had eased, Port of Antwerp-Bruges said, as reported by Ship & Bunker. However, shipping traffic in the affected section of the port remained suspended as of the time of reporting.
Container Removal Underway
Specialist teams are preparing to remove the damaged container, according to the port authority’s statement. The container will be placed in a lime-filled drip tray, a method used to neutralize acid residue, before being sealed and transported to a safe location for further handling.
The safety perimeter and associated shipping restrictions will stay in effect until the container has been fully removed and subsequent testing confirms there is no remaining risk, Ship & Bunker reported. “Shipping traffic remains suspended in the affected area for the time being,” the port authority said, as quoted in the report.
Does This Matter to You?
Disruptions at Deurganck Dock, one of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges’ key container handling areas, may affect vessel scheduling and berthing operations for carriers and operators calling at the port during the suspension period. Charterers and logistics planners with cargo routed through Antwerp could see knock-on delays until the safety zone is lifted and normal shipping traffic resumes.
The source material does not specify a timeline for full resumption of operations, nor does it detail broader impacts on bunkering activities or fuel availability in the port. Readers with vessels scheduled to call at Antwerp, particularly at Deurganck Dock, should monitor updates from the port authority directly for the latest operational status.
Gulf Bunkering does not provide operational or security guidance. This article is for informational purposes only. Operators should consult flag state authorities, P&I clubs, and relevant advisories for decisions relating to transit planning.
Sources: Ship & Bunker
