Dockworkers in Europe and elsewhere held strikes on Friday as part of an international campaign against arms shipments and for better working conditions, according to unions, Naharnet reported.
Unions in France, Italy, Greece, Spain, Turkey and Morocco issued a joint call for an end to the wars in the Middle East, including the war in Gaza, and an end to the militarization of ports. "Ports must not be used for the transport of weapons, ammunition, military equipment and troops," a joint union statement said ahead of the day of action. The statement closed with the line: "Dockworkers do not work for war!"
Organizers say more than 100 ports in several countries joined the movement. They say it could affect port operations in parts of Europe, the Mediterranean region and North America.
Action country by country
In Greece, the ENEDEP dockworkers' union called a strike at Piraeus, the country's largest port, for the day of action. Separately, a seafarers' strike over pay, working conditions and safety kept ships docked at several ports and disrupted ferry services.
In Istanbul, protesters gathered outside Haydarpasa port under a banner reading "No to war, no to armament!"
Italy's USB union said demonstrations were planned at ports including Genoa, Trieste and Gioia Tauro. It said they would coincide with a nationwide general strike over living costs, low wages and military spending.
France's CGT ports and docks federation called a one-day strike at major ports including Le Havre, Marseille, Dunkirk and Rouen. The federation said it rejects the militarization of port facilities under European policies. It also criticized government budget proposals that it says threaten social protections.
Scale of disruption unclear
The scale of disruption was unclear, Naharnet reported. Organizers say participation ranges from full-day strikes to shorter walkouts and demonstrations.
Logistics firm C.H. Robinson advised clients that operational disruptions and shipment delays may occur at participating ports. It said the effects would vary by port, terminal and local participation.
Analysts see limited effect
Experts expect limited impact on global supply chains, Naharnet reported. Marcus Baker, global head of marine, cargo and logistics at Marsh, said a 24-hour strike is unlikely to materially disrupt global trade flows. He said perishable and time-sensitive shipments could be affected. Baker said the strike "adds another layer of complexity to supply chains already under pressure from geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, climate-related events, including El Niño, restrictions affecting the Rhine and the Panama Canal, and shifting tariff regimes".
Judah Levine of Freightos said the strike could worsen congestion at ports such as Genoa. He said vessels there already wait one to two days for a slot.
Ed Anderson, a professor at the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas, said the protest movement is not expected to cause outright shortages. "Just one day is not that much in terms of disruption," he said.