Antwerp: Shipping traffic at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges was partially halted on Friday after an oil spill during a refuelling operation caused concern among authorities and port operators.

The incident happened at the Deurganckdock area, where oil leaked into the water during a bunkering process. Officials said the spill later spread into the River Scheldt, raising environmental and operational concerns.

Authorities confirmed that the source of the leak has been stopped and measures are in place to contain the oil. Cleanup teams are working at the site, but operations at the port remain restricted as a precaution.

The port, which is one of the busiest in Europe, usually handles dozens of ships each day. Even a partial halt in traffic is expected to slow down cargo movement and affect supply chains linked to fuel, chemicals and container goods.

Officials have not yet said how long the disruption will continue. Some ships are still moving under controlled conditions, but delays are likely as cleanup efforts continue.

The incident highlights the risks involved in fuel handling at major ports. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation to prevent further spread of oil and to restore normal shipping activities as soon as possible.