Fatal Ro-Ro Cargo Accident Reported at Zeebrugge Port Terminal
A fatal accident occurred aboard the Malta-flagged Ro-Ro vessel Delphine during cargo operations at the Port of Zeebrugge in Belgium, according to The Maritime Telegraph. The incident happened on June 16 around 18:00 local time at CLdN’s Albert II Dock terminal.
A 54-year-old dock worker was acting as a signalman during loading operations when a towing vehicle on the cargo deck reportedly hit a stack of containers. The impact caused the containers to shift, trapping the worker between the cargo and the ship’s bulkhead. Emergency teams arrived quickly, but the man died before he could be rescued.
Belgian police and prosecutors have opened an investigation to determine the cause of the accident. Forensic experts examined the vessel, and authorities are reviewing possible safety and operational failures. After the incident, the Delphine was temporarily held in port to support the investigation. The ship was later released and continued its voyage toward Dublin, Ireland.
Local media identified the victim as Georges Van Troostenberghe, a long-time port worker and father of five. Ro-Ro operations are known to carry safety risks because workers, drivers and equipment operate in tight spaces with moving cargo. Even small mistakes during loading can lead to serious accidents, especially when vehicles and container stacks are in motion.
Investigators are now working to establish the exact sequence of events and whether safety rules were followed during the operation.
