As part of the ongoing farmer protests, around 500 tractors are blocking access roads to the Antwerp port, with filter blockades causing problems on the roads in and around the port area. The protestors' main point of contention is Belgium's agricultural policy.
Farmers from across Flanders have descended on Antwerp, and have set up filter blockades in and around the port. Filter blockades mean that some vehicles, such as emergency services and transporters carrying toxic or perishable products, can still pass.
"We have no intention of taking every working person hostage all day. We are going to keep it tidy," organiser Stijn Zelderloo told VRT. "We mainly want to block heavy bulk transport."
Traffic jams caused by the blockades have left long queues of cars and buses. The farmers had already agreed to allow shift changes for employees working in the port can also go ahead. The Flemish Traffic Centre recommends avoiding the area.
Translation: 'Take into account possible blockages in the port area. This is the situation at the Waaslandhaven-Zuid roundabout.'
"We want to show our determination and keep putting pressure on politicians," Zelderloo said. Monday saw the third round of consultations between agriculture organisations and the Flemish Government. No agreement was reached however and parties will meet again on Thursday.
Unlike on previous occasions, the Boerenbond or the Algemeen Boerensyndicaat (ABS) have not been part of the organisation of these latest protests, which instead as been coordinated by individual farmers. But the ABS nonetheless welcomes the protests, a spokesperson said. "A week and a half after the big protest there are still no results. Many farmers fear they will be turned away without any changes."
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The Port of Antwerp serves as a major economic and logistical hub, making it a prime target for protests that wish to be heard immediately. "Farmers demand the respect and recognition that the port and port companies experience, including for their sub-sectors and businesses," an ABS spokesperson stated.
The impact on the port is huge, according to Antwerp city councillor for the port Annick De Ridder (N-VA). "There is a lot of inconvenience. People need to be able to arrive and get away from work. That has become very difficult."
Numerous slip roads of the Antwerp Ring Road (R2) are blocked, as well as the connecting roads to the port. The disruption is rapidly spreading to other locations in the area.
