More than 100 ports halt operations in global arms shipment protest

More than 100 ports across Europe, the Mediterranean, and North America halted operations on Friday in a coordinated international strike. The action targets the transport of weapons and demands improved working conditions for dockworkers. Unions in France, Italy, Greece, Spain, Turkey, and Morocco issued a joint call for the protest. They also demanded an end to the wars in the Middle East, including the conflict in Gaza, and an end to the militarization of port facilities.

A joint statement from the unions declared that ports must not be used for the transport of weapons, ammunition, military equipment, and troops. The group emphasized that dockworkers do not work for war. Organizers described the protest as a movement affecting multiple countries, though the precise scale of the disruption remained unclear. Participation varied from full-day strikes to shorter walkouts and demonstrations.

In Greece, the ENEDEP dockworkers' union called for a strike at Piraeus, the country's largest port. This action coincided with a separate seafarers' strike that left ships docked at several ports, disrupting ferry services. The seafarers are demanding better pay, working conditions, and improved safety measures. In Istanbul, Turkey, protesters gathered outside Haydarpasa port. They held a banner that read: No to war, no to armament!

Italy's Unione Sindacale di Base (USB) planned demonstrations in Genoa, Trieste, and Gioia Tauro. These local actions coincided with a nationwide general strike called by major Italian unions. The general strike protested rising living costs, low wages, and military spending. In France, the CGT ports and docks federation called a one-day strike in Le Havre, Marseille, Dunkirk, and Rouen. The union rejected the militarization of port facilities under European policies and denounced French government budget proposals that threaten social protections.

Supply chain management company C.H. Robinson issued an advisory to clients warning of operational disruptions and shipment delays. The company noted that the duration and severity of delays would vary by port, terminal, and local participation levels. Marcus Baker, global head of marine, cargo, and logistics for Marsh, said a 24-hour strike is unlikely to cause material disruption to global trade flows. He added that perishable goods and time-sensitive shipments could be affected.

Judah Levine, head of research for Freightos, noted that the strike could exacerbate congestion at ports like Genoa. Vessels are already waiting one to two days for a slot at those locations. Ed Anderson, a professor of supply chain and operations management at the University of Texas, said the movement was not expected to cause outright shortages. He stated that just one day is not that much in terms of disruption.