Watch: Cargo Ship Hits Bollard, Sinks In Antwerp & Spills Oil Into Scheldt River

A cargo ship sank overnight between Friday and Saturday at the Royers Lock in the Port of Antwerp, releasing oil into the River Scheldt and forcing a temporary halt to shipping in the area.

Emergency services received a call at around 12:50 reporting that the vessel was going down near the lock, which connects the River Scheldt to the Albert Canal.

The inland cargo ship, identified as Sola Gratia, was carrying sand at the time of the incident.

Early information suggests the vessel may have struck a mooring bollard or posts before sinking. No other ships were involved.

Two crew members onboard jumped into the water as the vessel sank. Rescue divers pulled them out and handed them over to medical teams. They were taken to hospital for treatment.

Authorities confirmed that fuel leaked into the river following the incident. The exact amount of oil spilled is still not known, but a strong smell was reported in nearby areas.

Teams have started work to contain the spill, and clean-up operations are expected to take several days.

The moment riverbarge Sola Gratia sunk in front of the city of Antwerp, Belgium. All crew were rescued. (Video @vrtnws) pic.twitter.com/AV6pMmMpA7

— Bart (@BartGonnissen) April 18, 2026

Shipping traffic has been temporarily suspended in a section of the River Scheldt between Noordkasteel and the Sainte-Anne tunnel to allow response teams to manage the situation.

The Royers Lock has also been closed until further notice.

Officials are investigating the cause of the sinking and are checking the extent of environmental damage.

The incident comes just days after another oil spill in the Port of Antwerp on 9 April, where civil defence teams had to carry out clean-up work and protect natural areas along the riverbanks.

Authorities have also warned that high spring tides expected on Sunday could make the clean-up more difficult and may spread the oil further.

Port authorities continue to monitor the situation while working to contain the spill and restore normal shipping operations.

References: brusselstimes, safety4sea