by Manal Barakat, SeaNewsEditor
Update: 12.06.2025
A new series of industrial actions has been announced across several ports in Sweden. The Swedish Dockworkers’ Union issued strike and blockade notices covering the period from 19 to 26 June.
The disruptions are expected to affect operations at major ports across the country.
At the Port of Gothenburg, APM Terminals will experience strikes on 23 June from 12:00 to 21:00 local time and on 24 June during the same hours.
Halmstad Port will see two strike periods on 23 June from 06:00 to 23:00, and on 24 June within the same timing.
Meanwhile, Helsingborg Port will face action on 19, 23, and 24 June, including a blockade against overtime, hiring, new employment, additional work, and shifting regular working hours.
At Malmö Port, the strikes will take place on 23 and 24 June from 9:00 to 19:00.
Pitea Port will strike from 14:15 on 24 June until 6:00 on 26 June, and the Port of Sundsvall will strike from 7:00 on 23 June until 1:00 on 25 June.
Mediation efforts to resolve the disputes are ongoing as of 12 June, but further disruptions remain likely.
Update: 27.05.2025
While an agreement was reached between the Transport Workers' Union and the Ports of Sweden, the Swedish Port Workers' Union (HF) announced industrial action at various times between 30 May and 5 June, consisting of a blockade of overtime, new hirings, and additional work.
The Ports of Sweden challenged the legality of the planned strikes given the valid collective agreement with the Transport Workers Union.
However, the labour court announced Monday that the HF's industrial action is permitted, allowing its members to strike.
The HF announced the postponement of regular working hours for all member companies of Ports of Sweden from Friday, 6 June, at 00.00 to Sunday, 8 June, at 24.00 local time.
The union also called for a general strike at various times at four of the Ports of Sweden member companies on Monday, 9 June.
Only members of the HF will participate in the strike, which will have a perceived impact on the movement of containers to and from the ports.
Although a complete halt of operations at the ports is not expected, waiting times could extend, particularly at Helsingborg, Gothenburg, and Stockholm.
For the latest port and vessel statuses or situation updates, please refer to the seaexplorer alert map.
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Original article: 13.05.2025
Local newspaper the Sweden Herald reported that the nation's Dockworkers' Union and the Transport Workers' Union have issued warnings of potential strikes in Swedish ports.
The potential strikes aim to denounce stalled negotiations over new collective agreements and the use of temporary personnel.
The Dockworkers' Union strike will impact all of Sweden's ports on 21 May between 12:00 and 18:00 local time.
They have also issued notices of strikes at specific port companies at various times between 21 and 26 May.
According to Erik Helgeson, the Vice Chairman of the Dockworkers' Union, the strike will result in a complete shutdown of work if the negotiations do not advance by then.
Similarly, the Transport Workers' Union has expressed concerns over what they describe as the "misuse of temporary personnel" in the ports.
They have issued a warning of conflict, primarily targeting a blockade against new hires and temporary agency workers on 21 May.
Following this, the union has planned a series of strikes that will commence in different ports starting on 30 May.
For the latest port status or situation update, please refer to the seaexplorer alert map.
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