The union representing lashers at the Port of Rotterdam announced on Friday, October 10, that its members have unanimously decided to extend their strike indefinitely, escalating disruptions at Europe’s busiest container port. Container operations have largely come to a halt since Wednesday afternoon, with vessels reported to be backing up offshore.
The strike targets two stevedoring companies, International Lashing Services and Matrans Marine Services, which operate under contracts outsourced from the container terminal operators. The disruption is affecting all four major container terminals—APM, Hutchinson, ECT Delta, and Rotterdam World Gateway—according to Maersk, which has warned its customers of delays.
“Our people have made it clear that half-hearted measures are not enough,” said Niek Stam, director of FNV Havens. “Employers seem to think we’ll stop striking automatically, but that’s a miscalculation.”
Union members had initially planned to return to work on Friday afternoon, but rejected employer offers, calling them insufficient. While the union has signaled a willingness to lower its wage increase demand to 6.5% from the original 7%, employers are reportedly offering only a 4% raise.
The strike has already caused significant vessel congestion. AIS tracking indicates ships from Maersk, CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd, COSCO, and others are holding offshore. The situation is further complicated by a work slowdown by sea pilots in Belgium, affecting 113 ships, including 80 in the North Sea.
Analysts warn that the combined job actions could create widespread supply chain disruptions. Small businesses have filed an emergency lawsuit seeking to halt or limit the strike, citing concerns over delays to food shipments and other essential goods. Port officials confirmed that 25% of imported containers and 40% of exports carry food items.
Adding to the port’s challenges, activists protesting in support of Gaza blocked access roads on Friday and entered secure areas, with plans for a mass protest on Saturday.
The union has expressed readiness to negotiate over the weekend, urging the two firms to resume talks to reach an agreement. Meanwhile, a general strike in Belgium is expected to halt vessel operations from Monday evening through Wednesday morning, potentially compounding disruptions.
The situation at Rotterdam remains fluid, with international shipping schedules under strain as authorities and stakeholders monitor developments closely.
