French ports: new 48-hour strike on 26 and 27 February 2025

As we announced in a previous edition, the social movement has started again in French ports. In addition to the next four-hour disconnections scheduled between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.14, 18, 20, 24, 26 and 28 February 2025, the ports and docks unions have suggested that a new48 hours total work stoppagewould come to displace the harbour activities the26 and 27 February 2025with adead port operation27 February.

The unions remain determined to force the government into their battle for pension reform, recognition of the penitibility of port work and the risks associated with asbestos handling. For the time being, both sides do not seem ready to open their hatches to find common ground. Moreover, the political instability of recent months has not encouraged trade.

While the demands seem laudable, these repeated strikes have a significant impact on the entire supply chain. In addition to the current congestion, delays and other overloads, the risk is that in the long term the carriers will be blocking French ports in favour of other European ports.

However, social movements also emerged in January and February, and are expected to continue in the coming days, in several northern European ports: Stockholm in Sweden, Rotterdam in the Netherlands and Antwerp in Belgium. In question, the subject of pensions and the automation of port terminals.

ACTE International Network