Major European ports are on strike, and ships may face congestion and delays!

Foreign media reported that the Panhellenic Union of Merchant Marine Engineers decided to launch a 48-hour strike at the Port of Piraeus, Greece from February 23, 2021 to February 24, 2021 , which has dealt a heavy blow to Greek ports and is likely to escalate further.

The Panhellenic Crew Union of Towage & Salvag has also joined the action, so the port will not be able to provide tugboat services during the strike period, which will affect the ships' ability to maneuver in the port and the port's maneuverability.

In a statement announcing the strike, the Engineers Union accused shipping companies and ports of failing to provide any substantial protection for public health as the COVID-19 pandemic intensified, and that shipowners, governments, and the Ministry of Shipping and Island Policy were trying to cover up their social responsibilities and ignore the safety of seafarers and union rights, which caused the union to feel strongly indignant.

Liner companies warned customers that it is not yet possible to predict the extent of the strike's impact on the port of Piraeus, and that ships arriving at the port of Piraeus between February 21 and 26 are expected to experience congestion and increased waiting times.

The Port of Piraeus is the port with the largest container throughput in the Mediterranean. Affected by the strike , ships arriving at the Port of Piraeus from February 22 are expected to face berthing delays . After the strike ends, the three terminals of the port are expected to be severely congested.

The administrator of the Port of Piraeus said that the port's utilization rate is still at a high level and planned ship operations will be given priority.

It seems that this strike is still a release of workers' pent-up dissatisfaction under the epidemic and high-pressure work. Although port managers are still optimistic about the current situation, the fundamental contradiction between the high growth of transportation demand and the slow improvement of the epidemic cannot be resolved in a short period of time. It is not easy to meet the demands of the union. They can only try their best to appease them, but it is still unpredictable how this strike will develop in the end.

Last December, a strike launched by a trade union in Argentina was repeatedly extended, from December 9 to December 29, causing more than 100 cargo ships to be stranded at the port, causing great damage to cargo transportation.

Although the strike at Greek ports has just begun, sellers also need to prepare in advance, pay attention to port information, conduct risk assessment and management, and make plans to avoid unnecessary losses. For ports with congestion, you must apply for the longest free container in advance when booking.

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