Update: Situation at main French ports is improving

Daily strikes and shutdowns at Le Havre and Fos-sur-Mer have been suspended

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Update: 20.04.2023

Activities at the Le Havre and Fos-sur-Mer ports have improved despite continued labour action in France. According to Kuehne+Nagel updates, operations at port terminals will only be partially impacted.

While some work disruptions are planned for today, the daily 4-hour strike at Le Havre and the daily shutdowns at Fos-sur-Mer were suspended indefinitely. No changes are reported to import containers at Fos-sur-Mer, but the entry of export containers is restricted to specific vessels.

In the meantime, international media anticipates continued protests and strikes across France into early May.

Update: 11.04.2023

Nationwide protests against pension reforms are likely to continue through mid-April, according to news sources. A multi-sector union federation has announced a twelfth day of nationwide strikes on 13 April.

This will once again impact the ports in France, namely Le Havre, Marseille, Fos-sur-Mer, Rouen and Bordeaux, as follows :

from 8 April until 14 April, port workers will stop work for 4 hours a day.
13 April - port workers will strike for 24 hours.

Further disruptions to operations at these terminals are expected this week.

Update 6: 04.04.2023

French port workers will continue strike action this week at Le Havre, Marseille and For-sur-Mer. This includes reduced working hours this week and a 24-hour strike planned for 6 April. Further details on this week's strike action can be found in our customer advisory.

The 72-hour strike action in March resulted in a backlog at the ports, increased beth and yard congestion and impacted productivity. Hapag-Lloyd has reported stress on exports as gate opening hours were reduced. However, the carrier sees disruption easing since strikes have been limited to 24 hours.

As with last week's strike, Kuehne+Nagel anticipates these disruptions will lead to delays in container movements and shipping schedules.

Update 5: 28.03.2023

French port workers are on strike again this week, causing further delays to container movements.

Port workers at Le Havre, Fos-sur-Mer and Marseille are on a 24-hour strike today, 28 March.

For the rest of the week, working hours will be reduced at the ports as follows :

Le Havre - no activity from noon to 4 pm
Marseille - no activity in the morning, back to work at 1.30 pm
Fos-sur-Mer - no activity from 11 am to 3 pm

The reduced working hours took effect on Monday. Kuehne+Nagel anticipates that these disruptions will lead to delays in the withdrawal and return of containers, may generate possible additional costs, and shift shipping and delivery schedules. Further details on this week's strike action can be found in our customer advisory.

Update 3: 21.03.2023

Another 72-hour strike by French port workers is scheduled from 21 to 23 March at all French terminals, impacting handling operations. In addition, protesters plan to block access to port areas today, making some terminals and warehouses challenging to access or inaccessible. In addition, all freight trains are cancelled at Le Havre and Fos sur Mer.

Kuehne+Nagel anticipates the strike and block actions will lead to delays in container withdrawal and return, may generate possible additional costs and shift shipping and delivery schedules.

The protests against pension reforms continue around France today, with possible flight cancellations and strikes by rubbish collectors. According to local news, unions have called for a “national day of action” on Thursday, 23 March, which could see widespread strikes and demonstrations.

Update 2: 10.03.2023

The National Federation of Ports and Docks CGT (CGT) has called for a 72-hour strike action on 14, 15 and 16 March.

According to local news sources, the union announced a “dead ports” day for 16 March. On this day, the union plans to block access to the ports. CGT has also called on workers to suspend overtime and exceptional shifts.

The latest announcement follows two strike actions, which began in February. Last week workers protested for 48 hours on 7 and 8 March.

Update 1: 01.03.2023

The Union of Transport & Logistics Companies of France (TLF) issued a statement yesterday announcing a strike that will take place at the ports of Le Havre and Fos-sur-Mer next week.

According to the statement, the National Federation of Ports and Docks CGT called on port workers to stage a 48-hour strike on 7 and 8 March. The dispute between the workers and their employers revolves around cancelling overtime and exceptional shifts, said the union.

This is not the first strike at the two ports. Earlier on 15 February, the workers walked out for 24 hours.