Shipping Updates November 2022 – Closures and Strike Alerts 

Port of Antwerp – Belgium general strike

​​​​​A national strike in Belgium on November 9-10th, 2022 will impact port operations at the Port of Antwerp.  This combined with a national holiday on Friday Nov 11, 2022 will mean three consecutive days of disruption for cargo.  Plan for delays from the closures and resulting backlog.   

Spain – Transport / Trucking Strike

Transport unions, including freight truckers, have announced a strike starting November 14, 2022 with no declared end date at this time.  Truck drivers are protesting rising costs and working conditions that were to be addressed following their strikes in March. Work stoppages and slowdowns are expected – plan for delays accordingly.  ​​​​​


UK Rail and Port Strike Update 

​​​​​The Port of Liverpool will start another round of strike action on 6AM Nov 14 through 6AM Nov 21, 2022.  This follows their third round of strike action that started October 24th running through 6AM November 11, 2022.  UK’s rail and train operating companies continue with their strike action in November (5, 7, 9th), 2022.  
 

This will impact scheduled ocean and rail services to ports with vessel diversions to other UK ports.  Plan for disruption, road/rail capacity issues and additional delays/costs. 

US West Coast Port Labor Update 

​​​​​​Longshoremen work continues while negotiations continue on a new master contract, but we do not have official updates as the talks are behind closed doors. 

While labor unions operate without a contract, local disputes and even lunch break scheduling can disrupt terminal operations.  A dispute from clerk’s union ILWU local 34 unexpected closed the day shift operations at Port of Oakland last week.

USA Rail Union Update 

As previously announced, two unions have voted against the new contract, the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Division could go on strike as soon as November 19th if no deal is reached, and the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen could strike as soon as Dec 4th. 

Regardless, if any of the 12 rail unions were to go on strike, all rail unions would honor picket lines and refuse to work. Three more unions still have to finish their votes to ratify the new agreement.  The major issue with new contracts has centered around paid sick leave. 

For more information on impact to active or upcoming orders, please reach out to your representative to discuss your shipping concerns.