Global Port Strike: 100+ Terminals Halt Operations Over Arms Shipments

More than 100 ports across multiple countries joined a coordinated work stoppage on Friday. The international campaign targets the transport of military equipment and seeks better working conditions for harbor employees. Unions in France, Italy, Greece, Spain, Turkey, and Morocco issued a joint statement calling for an end to wars in the Middle East, specifically citing the conflict in Gaza. The group also demanded an end to the militarization of port facilities.

The joint statement declared that ports must not serve as transit points for weapons, ammunition, military gear, or troops. It noted that dockworkers do not work for war. Organizers said the protests could disrupt operations in Europe, the Mediterranean region, and North America. Participation varied by location, ranging from full-day strikes to shorter walkouts and demonstrations.

In Greece, unions called a strike at Piraeus, the nation's largest port. A separate seafarers' strike over pay and safety kept ships docked at several locations, disrupting ferry services. Giorgos Gogos, president of the Dockworkers Union of Piraeus Port Authority, stated that the union does not want to participate in global conflicts. He said the union does not want its ports to become hubs for military material transferred to kill people.

Turkish protesters gathered outside Istanbul's Haydarpasa port beneath a banner reading: "No to war, no to armament!" In Italy, demonstrations were planned in key ports including Genoa, Trieste, and Gioia Tauro. These actions coincided with a nationwide general strike organized by the Unione Sindacale di Base. Tens of thousands of people demonstrated across Italy over high prices and other issues. The government ordered transport workers back to work, which reduced the anticipated disruption to the transport network.

France's CGT ports and docks federation called a one-day strike at major ports, including Le Havre, Marseille, Dunkirk, and Rouen. The federation opposes what it calls the militarization of port facilities under European policies and French budget proposals. It argues these measures threaten social protections for workers.

Supply chain management company C.H. Robinson warned clients of possible operational disruptions and shipment delays. The impact varied by port, terminal, and level of participation. Experts expected the impact on global supply chains to be limited. Marcus Baker, global head of marine, cargo, and logistics at Marsh, said a 24-hour strike was unlikely to significantly disrupt global trade. However, it could affect perishable goods and time-sensitive shipments.

Baker noted the action would complicate supply chains already strained by Middle East tensions, climate-related events, and shifting tariffs. Judah Levine, head of research at Freightos, said the strike could worsen congestion at ports such as Genoa. Vessels there already face waits of one to two days for a berth. Ed Anderson, a professor of supply chain and operations management at the University of Texas' McCombs School of Business, said the protests were unlikely to cause outright shortages. He said, "Just one day is not that much in terms of disruption."