Lisbon Commercial Ports Hit by Strike Action

Inchcape Shipping Services, the world’s leading maritime services provider, is advising of strike action at Lisbon commercial ports by the Stevedores’ Union which is set to have a major impact on port operations in the coming weeks.

It is anticipated that the ongoing wave of strike action will cause major backlogs at Lisbon commercial ports which already have a shortage of Stevedores gangs.

The following periods of strike action have been announced by Stevedores at Lisbon port commercial terminals (tanker terminals currently remain unaffected):

From 6th to 13th Nov 4 hours stoppage, every day 09h00/10h00 + 15h00/16h00  + 18h00/19h00  +  22h00/23h00 on weekdays

From 13th Nov to 20th Nov 4 hours stoppage, every day 09h00/10h00 + 15h00/16h00  + 18h00/19h00  +  22h00/23h00 on weekdays

From 20th Nov to 27th Nov 4 hours stoppage, every day 09h00/10h00 + 15h00/16h00  + 18h00/19h00  +  22h00/23h00  on weekdays

All periods whenever any outside worker or truck driver is used by the terminals 

The Stevedores’ union has also announced strike action on work carried out on any vessel at Lisbon port Liscont Container Terminal during the following periods:

On 15/11/2013 - from 08h00 up to 08h00 on 16/11/2013

On 18/11/2013 - from 08h00 up to 08h00 on 20/11/2013 

In addition, Liscont Terminal has advised that due to operational constraints, they cannot service operations during the periods between the days of strike action, which means that no operations will be performed from 15/11/2013 08h00 until 20/11/2013 08h00 at Liscont Terminal.

At Setubal and Figueira da Foz ports, strike action only applies for vessels deviated from Lisbon port.

Says Julian Isola, ISS Operations Manager: Algercias & Iberia: “It is believed that the ongoing nature of this strike action and the existing shortage of Stevedores gangs may cause major backlogs in the coming weeks, with some shipping lines considering suspending Lisbon port calls until the action has ended.  We would like to stress that tanker vessels are currently unaffected and bulk carriers are unlikely to suffer any more than minor delays.”

This new wave of strikes is a continuation of strike action last year by Stevedores who are protesting against government plans to introduce temporary contracts.