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On Oct. 30, dockworkers staged strikes and demonstrations at 113 ports under a coordinated day of action. More than 25 unions backed the effort, according to Reuters. The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) confirmed the coordinated action.
What the unions are asking for
The ITF said the action targets the movement of military cargo through civilian ports. It wants workers to have the right to refuse such cargo without facing reprisal. Unions also raised demands for better wages and working conditions, and voiced opposition to increasing automation.
Dockworkers’ unions in Italy, France, Greece, Spain’s Basque Country, Türkiye and Morocco organized the action first. Support later came from unions in northern Europe, India, Mexico, the U.S. and Australia. The ITF said participating ports were in 17 countries. Affiliates named include ver.di (Germany), Liman-İş (Türkiye), the Maritime Union of Australia, the ILWU (U.S.) and 3F (Denmark).
The WFTU’s European office separately backed the mobilization. It said the action followed a May meeting of European and Mediterranean dockworkers’ unions in Istanbul.
Port-by-port impact
Action varied by country and port. Some sites saw full-day strikes, while others had shorter stoppages or demonstrations.
- France: HAROPA Port said industrial action by cargo-handling and port workers would disrupt container terminal operations and movable structures at Le Havre from 0600 on Oct. 30 to 0600 on Oct. 31. CGT leader Tony Hautbois told AFP that French ports would be “95% shut down.” Marseille-Fos, Dunkirk, Calais, Rouen and Nantes were also included.
- Italy: The USB union called a nationwide 24-hour strike. Participating ports included Genoa, Livorno, Trieste, Civitavecchia, Ancona, Ravenna and Gioia Tauro. Reuters said Genoa expected limited impact. Terminal Darsena Toscana at Livorno told customers it could not promise normal operations.
- Greece: Piraeus dockworkers announced a stoppage from 0800 to 1100 GMT, and other unions planned 24-hour action. Reuters reported Greek ferries would stay docked.
- Spain, Türkiye, Morocco: Valencia, Barcelona, Algeciras, Bilbao, Mersin and Tangier Med took part.
- Germany and Nordics: ver.di joined at Hamburg, with unions in Denmark and Sweden also supporting.
- Elsewhere: About a dozen Indian ports, including Nhava Sheva, joined, according to Reuters. Support was also reported at Oakland, San Francisco, Veracruz and Melbourne.
Scale of the disruption
The unions said the action could affect more than 40% of Mediterranean cargo and more than US$2 billion in freight. The source noted that actual participation and disruption remained uncertain.
What it means for shippers
Cargo scheduled for loading, transshipment or discharge at the named ports on Oct. 30 may see delays. French terminals carry the firmest confirmation, since the port authority itself published the disruption window. Shippers with boxes at Le Havre, Livorno or Piraeus should ask carriers and forwarders for updated vessel and gate schedules.
Missed berthing windows can push back later port calls on the same loop. That can affect pickup and delivery appointments, so allow extra time for trucking and warehouse bookings. Our guide on how port congestion disrupts Asia-Europe freight explains how one terminal’s delay spreads along a rotation.
U.S. exporters sending freight to Europe should also check whether their routings touch the affected hubs. Earlier labor action is covered in our report on the ILA walkout at East and Gulf Coast ports. For other current ocean disruptions, see our update on Gulf shipping incidents and Hormuz transits.
Ask carriers about omitted calls or blank sailings, and confirm any added storage or detention terms for delayed boxes before they accrue.
