News / Strikes in ports across Europe add to shippers' congestion woes

Rotterdam. Photo: © Richardt777, Dreamstime.com

Shippers are warned that strikes at multiple major European ports will lead to delays and disrupted services, alongside continuing congestion challenges. 

Maersk warned customers that the strike by two lashing companies at the port of Rotterdam, lasting from yesterday afternoon until tomorrow, has meant vessels alongside experiencing “delays or interruptions” in load and discharge operations. 

“This strike specifically involves lashing operations, which are critical to the safe securing and release of containers on board vessels,” explained the carrier. 

“As such, while terminal infrastructure (including tugs and pilots) remains operational, vessel operations are currently being significantly impacted.” 

The strike action is related to labour disputes over working conditions and compensation for lashing personnel, affecting all the major terminals at Rotterdam, including APM Terminals Maasvlakte II; Hutchinson Ports Delta II, ECT Delta, and Rotterdam World Gateway. 

Maersk advised that contingency plans to mitigate disruptions included adjusted operational windows and move counts. 

Meanwhile, there is indefinite industrial action at the combined port complex of Antwerp and Bruges/Zeebrugge by the Professional Association of Pilots, which began on 5 October in response to recent federal pension reforms. 

The port has reported that ships are piloted from 10am at the earliest until 5pm at the latest. 

“This measure, combined with maximum rest periods, has led to significant disruption of shipping movements in Antwerp and Zeebrugge,” advised Kuehne+Nagel.  

The port’s update today shows Antwerp with 65 vessels lacking schedules and 27 vessels delayed, Zeebrugge has seven vessels experiencing delays. 

“While shipping operations are being scheduled as efficiently as possible to maintain traffic flow, this action is expected to cause serious disruption to the resumption of shipping to and from Antwerp and Zeebrugge, with severe delays to vessel arrivals and departures in the coming days,” said Maersk.  

“Events like these are beyond our reasonable control and may impact operations,” the Danish carrier added. 

Further, demonstrations against the war in Gaza are planned to take place at the port of Rotterdam on Saturday, which could lead to yet more delays.  

“While the demonstrators plan to block the port’s tracks, the extent of the protests remains unclear. The action is likely to impact port operations and cause delays in container movement,” said K+N. 

Meanwhile, according to the forwarder’s latest port update, the threat of congestion at Europe’s ports is still looming.  

Yard utilisation at Antwerp is “elevated” and in Rotterdam the seven-day average vessel waiting time is extended by around 2.6 days.