October 13, 2025
Latest reports show that two major European ports — Rotterdam and Antwerp — are facing operational disruptions this week due to simultaneous labor strikes. In Rotterdam, a group of dock workers responsible for securing cargo on vessels began striking on Wednesday afternoon. The action is expected to continue until Friday, October 10. The strike stems from a disagreement over a new labor agreement.
Port representatives stated that the strike will likely impact vessel traffic, though the full extent is still being assessed. Terminal operators have warned that delays or interruptions may occur for both mainline and feeder vessels, while some areas will continue operating as usual.
Meanwhile, in Antwerp, shipping operations have been disrupted for several days due to a separate labor action. Normally, the port handles 60 to 80 ships per day, but only 31 were processed on Tuesday. Some vessels are waiting to dock, while others have already departed.
The dual disruptions at two of Europe’s busiest ports are expected to create delays across multiple shipping routes, potentially affecting supply chains throughout the region. Industry experts say this highlights the vulnerability of key logistics hubs to labor disputes.
