French port strike, freight forwarder issued a warning
On February 5, Kuehne+Nagel issued an alert on its official website, noting that French ports face serious disruptions due to ongoing strikes. Kuehne & Nagel said it expected more strikes planned throughout February that would have a significant impact on the economy.
In fact, from January 30-31, French ports have experienced a 48-hour strike, resulting in serious disruption. The dockers plan to continue their strike throughout February from 10:00 to 16:00 local time each day, including February 6, 10, 12, 14, 18, 20, 24, and the 48-hour strike on February 26 and 28. Kuehne & Nagel reported that the disruption will affect container ports across France.
Longshoremen and port workers' unions at France's main ports have been on strike since last month and will continue through February in protest at state pension reforms. The affected ports include Le Havre and Marseille, France's largest sea lanes for container traffic and hubs for some rail freight services.
According to a trade union source at the Port of Marseille, last weekend's 48-hour strike was widely supported at the port, with activity in all sectors at a standstill. While there have been some disruptions to certain services at the Port of Dunkirk, container activities are still operating normally.
French freight industry bodies have expressed concern, with shippers' associations warning of serious operational and financial consequences, as well as disruption to freight and commercial activities.
They highlighted the financial consequences of the strike, including increases in demurrage fees, detention fees, parking fees, storage fees outside the port area for exports, and ancillary fees to other ports. Shippers complain that these costs are being charged systematically and without justification.
Meanwhile, France's main federation (TLF), which represents the freight and logistics sector, said an urgent survey of its members at French ports showed the strike was having a direct economic impact. In an already difficult market, turnover loss in January is estimated at 21%, while turnover in February is expected to fall by 25%.
Therefore, cargo owners and freight forwarders who recently shipped to France should pay attention to the impact of logistics delays and take appropriate measures.
In fact, from January 30-31, French ports have experienced a 48-hour strike, resulting in serious disruption. The dockers plan to continue their strike throughout February from 10:00 to 16:00 local time each day, including February 6, 10, 12, 14, 18, 20, 24, and the 48-hour strike on February 26 and 28. Kuehne & Nagel reported that the disruption will affect container ports across France.
Longshoremen and port workers' unions at France's main ports have been on strike since last month and will continue through February in protest at state pension reforms. The affected ports include Le Havre and Marseille, France's largest sea lanes for container traffic and hubs for some rail freight services.
According to a trade union source at the Port of Marseille, last weekend's 48-hour strike was widely supported at the port, with activity in all sectors at a standstill. While there have been some disruptions to certain services at the Port of Dunkirk, container activities are still operating normally.
French freight industry bodies have expressed concern, with shippers' associations warning of serious operational and financial consequences, as well as disruption to freight and commercial activities.
They highlighted the financial consequences of the strike, including increases in demurrage fees, detention fees, parking fees, storage fees outside the port area for exports, and ancillary fees to other ports. Shippers complain that these costs are being charged systematically and without justification.
Meanwhile, France's main federation (TLF), which represents the freight and logistics sector, said an urgent survey of its members at French ports showed the strike was having a direct economic impact. In an already difficult market, turnover loss in January is estimated at 21%, while turnover in February is expected to fall by 25%.
Therefore, cargo owners and freight forwarders who recently shipped to France should pay attention to the impact of logistics delays and take appropriate measures.
