Rotterdam Port will resume operations for four days starting Monday, October 13, at 7:00 a.m., following a court-mediated agreement between logistics sector representatives and the dockworkers’ union FNV Havens, reports Port News citing a Port of Rotterdam statement.
The temporary arrangement comes after the court suspended a strike by dockworkers responsible for lashing containers due to its significant social and economic impact.
Port of Rotterdam dockworker strike disrupts trade
Shipping companies, terminal operators, trucking and inland shipping companies, industry associations, and shippers’ organizations had jointly requested the court to prohibit or restrict the strike, citing its disruption to port operations.
During the hearing, both sides agreed to resume work temporarily while negotiations continue.
FNV Havens and companies providing lashing services — International Lashing Services (ILS) and Matrans Marine Services — restart talks on Sunday morning.
If no agreement is reached by Friday, October 17, the strike may resume.
The dispute concerns pay and working conditions for employees of ILS and Matrans Marine Services, which operate under contracts with major terminals including APM Maasvlakte II, ECT Delta, Rotterdam World Gateway, and Hutchison Ports Delta II.
According to port representatives, the arrangement is not ideal but will help ease the port blockade and restore partial cargo flow to the Netherlands. The four-day reopening aims to reduce the ship queue, which doubled to 13 by October 9, compared with a normal range of six to seven. Delays had already been exacerbated by Storm Amy before the strike began.
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Source: Port News
