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Sudden! Strikes at ports in many countries! Operations blocked! Logistics delays! | Marine export logistics
May 16,2025
Recently, several ports around the world have been paralysed by workers' strikes, and the logistics supply chain has been seriously affected. From Belgium to Mexico, Sweden to South Africa, a series of strikes are reshaping global trade patterns and creating new uncertainty for international logistics.
Belgium: National Day of Action triggers port shutdown
On 20 May, Belgium will hold a national day of action and several unions are planning to stop operating. Members of the Antwerp-Brugge port and the Maritime and Coastal Services Authority will participate in the strike.
The strike is expected to severely affect port operations for the day. The Antwerp Port Group announced that it will suspend truck export deliveries before the strike, from 22:00 on May 19 to 06:00 on May 21, during which only import pickups will be accepted and no export deliveries will be accepted.
Sweden: threat of a port strike is approaching
The Swedish Dock Workers' Union and the Transport Workers' union have warned of a strike if negotiations with the port authorities fail.
The terminal workers' union plans to hold a strike in all of Sweden's ports between 12: 00 and 18: 00 on May 21. If no progress is made in the talks, the strike will escalate to a total shutdown. Transport workers' unions have also issued a warning of clashes, planning a series of strikes at different ports starting May 30.
Mexico: An indefinite strike at the port of Manzanillo
Large-scale labor protests have erupted in the Mexican port of Manzanillo since 6 a.m. on May 12. Hundreds of customs operators and administrative staff have started an indefinite strike to protest against long-standing labor rights abuses. The strike caused the total paralysis of land freight in the southern region of the port, and the logistics chain of multinational enterprises suffered.
Strikers blocked access to the southern part of the port and held up signs calling for "stop workplace bullying" and "reject overtime." Union representatives pointed out that the current staffing capacity was only able to meet 30 per cent of operational requirements, leading to overload operations being the norm. The National Port System Authority (ASIPONA) has launched a contingency plan to clear stranded trucks.
South Africa: Rail and port operators face strike crisis
The National Transport Union (UNTU), the main union of South Africa's national rail and port operator Transnet, is preparing a strike. The negotiations involve the renewal of labor contracts for more than 26,000 Transnet employees.
South Africa's main seaport could be at risk of paralysis as UNTU plans to formally launch a shutdown over the weekend due to a standoff over wage increases. Transnet has long been criticized for inefficient management and heavy debt burden, and the strike will have a greater impact on South Africa's port cargo, supply chain stability and the national economy.
The strikes highlight the fragility of global supply chains, as disruptions in ports disrupt normal trade flows and have a profound impact on corporate logistics costs and the supply of goods to consumers. In an already complex world of international trade, these strikes pose new challenges to managing global supply chains.
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