Strike creates standstill at Belgian ports

A strike over pension reforms by harbour pilots has largely paralysed traffic to the Belgian ports of Antwerp and Zeebrugge.

The pilots, who have to lead ships into the two ports, are demanding that their profession is exempted from the government plans to add two years to the retirement age.

Some 60 ships were blocked by the all-night strike and go-slow actions yesterday and today.

Antwerp, one of the biggest ports in the world, said it was costing about €1m every hour.

The government is expected to announce the full pension plans later today.