strike at port

German port strikes averted, but Rhine disruption deepens

Oct 14, 2026 | , , , ,

German dockworkers have accepted a new pay agreement, averting widespread port strikes, but record-low Rhine water levels continue to disrupt inland freight movements, increasing costs and threatening North European supply chains.

North European importers have avoided another potential disruption after German dockworkers accepted revised employment terms, reducing the immediate threat of industrial action at Hamburg, Bremerhaven and Wilhelmshaven.

However, congestion remains at several terminals, while exceptionally low Rhine water levels are restricting barge operations between Germany's industrial heartland and the major container gateways of Rotterdam and Antwerp.

The result is a continuing challenge for European supply chains: even when ocean freight services and port operations improve, inland transport constraints can still delay cargo and increase costs.

German port agreement reduces strike risk

Germany's ver.di union accepted revised employment terms on 6 October, following several rounds of negotiations and earlier warning strikes.

The agreement covers approximately 11,000 workers across six German ports and includes a 3.4% wage increase over 12 months.

Although final approval from port employers remains outstanding, the agreement has significantly reduced the immediate threat of industrial action.

However, terminal congestion remains a concern. Bremerhaven's container yard utilisation has reached 90%, compared with 80–85% at Hamburg and approximately 65% at Wilhelmshaven.

Vessel waiting times have improved since early September, but high terminal utilisation leaves limited flexibility to absorb further disruption.

Rhine restrictions threaten inland connections

The Rhine presents a more persistent challenge. Exceptionally low water levels have restricted barge movements along one of Europe's most important inland freight corridors, connecting German industrial centres with Rotterdam and Antwerp.

At Kaub, a critical navigation point, water levels fell to just 6cm on the gauge during August, the lowest recorded since measurements began in 1880.

Barges have been forced to operate with substantially reduced loads, while some vessels have been unable to complete their journeys.

The scale of the disruption is significant. A single 1,500-tonne barge can carry the equivalent of approximately 60 lorry loads, placing additional pressure on road and rail networks when river transport becomes unavailable.

Congestion is also affecting barge operations, with average waiting times reaching 36 hours at Antwerp and 56 hours at Rotterdam.

The severity of the situation was reinforced over the weekend of 10–11 October, when four inland vessels ran aground near Ludwigshöhe, prompting additional restrictions on vessel movements near Mainz.

Although all four vessels were subsequently refloated, the incidents underline the continuing risks facing inland shipping.

Low-water surcharges increase transport costs

Restricted barge capacity is also increasing inland transport costs. Shipping lines and barge operators have revised low-water surcharges to reflect the additional expense of operating vessels with reduced loads.

Surcharge structures link charges to water levels at Duisburg-Ruhrort, Kaub and Cologne.

As river levels fall, charges increase progressively, with the most severe restrictions potentially adding more than €1,500 per container to inland transport costs.

At particularly low levels, operators may be unable to guarantee container movements at all.

Alternative road and rail services can help maintain cargo flows, but limited capacity and increased demand may introduce further delays and expense.

A container arriving on schedule at Rotterdam, Antwerp or a German gateway offers little benefit if its onward movement is delayed by restricted inland capacity.

Keep your European supply chain moving

Metro's ocean freight and European logistics specialists combine carrier relationships, local market intelligence and inland transport expertise to help customers maintain reliable cargo movements.

From assessing alternative gateways and inland routes to coordinating road, rail and multimodal transport, Metro can identify practical options to minimise disruption and protect delivery commitments.

Don't let inland disruption undermine your shipping plans. Talk to Metro's freight specialists about your upcoming European shipments and the transport options that can keep your cargo moving.

strike signs 1440x1080 1

Port Labour Disputes Ease as Carriers Adjust Capacity

Nov 7, 2025 | , ,

North European ports are recovering from a turbulent October marked by strikes, slowdowns, and strategic capacity withdrawals that continue to test vessel schedule reliability across major trade lanes.

In Rotterdam, port operations normalised following the end of a strike on 17 October, after lashers accepted a new contract providing a 20% wage increase over three years. The settlement allowed the port to clear a backlog of around 30 container vessels, restoring regular quay operations and inland connections.

In Antwerp, however, tensions remain unresolved. Harbour pilots suspended strike action after a ten-day protest over proposed pension reforms, but are now operating under “maximum rest” conditions, a form of weaponised compliance that has slowed vessel movements and cargo flows. The Flemish government has granted a temporary reprieve while talks continue, but a full agreement must be reached by the end of November to avoid renewed disruption. The lingering uncertainty adds pressure to already stretched supply chains reliant on North European gateways.

Vessel Schedule Reliability Plateaus

According to Sea-Intelligence data, global schedule reliability has plateaued at around 65%, well below pre-pandemic norms but relatively stable compared with mid-year levels.

The improvement seen through early 2025 appears to have levelled off, as labour disputes and weather-related delays offset gains from improved fleet deployment. Carriers within alliances are maintaining higher consistency, yet reliability remains uneven across regions, with Northern Europe continuing to feel the impact of port congestion and labour constraints.

Blank Sailings Maintain Market Discipline

The U.S.–China trade truce at the end of October brought a degree of calm to ocean freight markets, but carriers are continuing to manage supply through selective blank sailings.

Between weeks 46 and 50 (10 November–14 December), approximately 7% of scheduled sailings (52 out of 721) have been withdrawn, primarily on transpacific eastbound (48%), Asia–Europe/Med (35%), and transatlantic westbound (17%) routes.

Despite these adjustments, 93% of departures are expected to proceed as planned, with the GEMINI Cooperation achieving full schedule reliability (100%) and MSC close behind at 95%. The Ocean Alliance, Premier Alliance, and independent carriers are operating between 89–91%.

Container rates edged up in early November following 1 November GRIs, with Drewry’s World Container Index reporting an 8% week-on-week rise, led by Asia–Europe and transpacific routes. With fewer cancellations and around 7% more capacity month-on-month, December is expected to see marginally higher space availability but continued volatility.

For shippers, the months ahead will demand agility and foresight, from early bookings to flexible scheduling, as carriers balance capacity discipline against weakening demand in the slack season.

We work closely with our network and carrier partners to keep cargo flowing through strikes, slowdowns and blank sailings. From time-critical moves to planned flows, our sea freight team secures the space and schedules your supply chain needs, on time and on budget.

EMAIL Andrew Smith, Managing Director, to explore how we can protect your ocean supply chains and help insulate you from market volatility.

strike at port

Rotterdam Strike Suspended as Europe’s Port Disputes Worsen

Oct 14, 2025 | , ,

Europe’s container ports may see a short reprieve following a court-mediated agreement to pause a major strike at the Port of Rotterdam, but broader port disruption continues to threaten sea  freight flows across the continent.

Hundreds of lashers at Europe’s busiest container terminal suspended their walkout for five days on Monday 13 October to Friday 17 October, under terms agreed after legal intervention and fresh negotiations between unions and employer associations. The temporary halt offers a breathing space for business operators and shippers facing backlog pressure.

The strike, which began last Wednesday, had brought loading and unloading at all Rotterdam container berths to a standstill, accumulating a significant queue of vessels anchored offshore. The lashers, who are responsible for securing containers on ships, had demanded a pay increase and better conditions, asserting that the port could not function without their services.

Under last Saturday’s court ruling, unions and employers pledged to resume talks on Sunday morning. The agreement allows the walkout to pause while negotiations continue, but warns that striking may resume if no deal materialises by Friday morning.

Wider Toll on European Ports

Rotterdam’s crisis is hardly isolated. Industrial unrest has swelled across Northern Europe, compounding congestion that was already mounting due to vessel re-deployments, yard overcapacity, and adverse weather.

At the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, harbour pilots have initiated work-to-rule protests over proposed pension reforms. Their action has aggravated scheduling delays and snarled traffic entering and leaving the Belgian ports. Antwerp authorities reported dozens of vessels without confirmed berths. With Antwerp already facing backlog pressure, it has limited ability to absorb overflow from Rotterdam.

The strikes and bottlenecks they are creating have triggered ripple effects through Europe’s logistics networks, with delayed container loading, longer turnaround times, and route reassignments.

The Outlook

The five-day pause in Rotterdam will help clear some of the backlog, but if wage talks fail, strikes could quickly resume, deepening disruption across Europe’s ports. However, shippers remain exposed to bottlenecks, rising costs, and delivery uncertainty as supply chains strain under the pressure. Antwerp’s limited spare capacity offers little relief, and other ports may struggle to absorb diverted traffic amid already congested terminals.

At the heart of the dispute lie wage and labour tensions, with lashers demanding a 7% pay rise plus inflation adjustment, a cost many operators claim the industry can not afford in a tightening logistics labour market, raising the spectre of prolonged labour disputes.

Metro’s sea freight team are monitoring the evolving situation and working closely with customs, ports, and European logistics colleagues to minimise disruption and keep customers’ supply chains moving.

EMAIL Andrew Smith, Managing Director, today.

strike at port

Labour disputes at European ports disrupt container shipping

Mar 5, 2025 | , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Trade union action across major European ports, particularly in Rotterdam and France, are causing significant disruptions to container shipping, exacerbating existing supply chain challenges.

Strikes at Rotterdam’s Delta II terminal and ongoing industrial action at French ports have created congestion, delays, and logistical bottlenecks, prompting carriers to reroute vessels and seek alternative solutions.

Rotterdam turmoil and ripple effects
Contract negotiations that began in November have stalled, while the FNV Havens and CNV unions have been locked in dispute with employers since the second half of last year over port automation concerns. Dockworkers have been staging intermittent strikes that have severely impacted deep-sea vessel operations, feeder ship schedules, and inland-bound cargo movements. The situation has escalated with calls for solidarity action across Europe, urging other ports not to handle diverted vessels. While no widespread solidarity strikes have been reported, shipping lines remain on high alert, monitoring developments and adjusting vessel rotations as necessary.

Congestion at Rotterdam has intensified due to a combination of adverse weather, holiday-related backlogs, and surging cargo volumes from Asia. As a result, vessels are facing extended waiting times, with some opting to bypass the port altogether. The container yard capacity is nearing full utilisation, and precautionary measures, such as limiting empty container acceptance, have been implemented to manage the strain.

French port strikes deepen crisis
Meanwhile, industrial action at French ports is compounding the disruption. Dockworkers are protesting against pension reforms, with frequent work stoppages and a series of strikes planned throughout March. These actions have significantly impacted cargo handling operations at key ports, including Le Havre and Marseille-Fos, leading to increased transport costs and supply chain strain for businesses dependent on timely shipments.

The business community has voiced concerns over the economic fallout, citing rising supply chain costs, shipment delays, and a decline in sales due to the port closures. Calls for government intervention and a coordinated public-private response have been made in an effort to mitigate the impact and prevent further damage to trade and industry.

Wider European impact
As Rotterdam and French ports struggle with ongoing disruptions, other European hubs, such as Antwerp-Bruges, are facing additional pressure. With cargo diversions increasing, terminal congestion at Antwerp has reached critical levels, forcing operators to implement emergency measures. 

Import deliveries are being prioritised over exports, and yard space constraints are leading to restrictions on transshipment volumes. Barge and feeder operations are experiencing significant delays, further straining inland logistics networks.

With no immediate resolution in sight for either the Rotterdam or French port disputes, container carriers are bracing for continued volatility.

With escalating labour disputes at key European ports, including Rotterdam and France, container shipping is facing increasing delays, congestion, and logistical challenges. At Metro, we have contingency plans in place to bypass affected ports, leveraging alternative routes and entry points to keep your cargo moving.

To minimise disruptions, we encourage you to share your shipping forecasts as early as possible so we can proactively mitigate potential issues.

For tailored solutions and expert guidance on protecting your supply chain, 

EMAIL Andrew Smith, Managing Director, today.

Category: Labour unrest

EU | Labour unrest | News | Sea | Supply Chain

Latest News in this category