Rotterdam Port strike halted for 5 days amid negotiations, while Antwerp pilots continue action
LATEST UPDATES | 10/17/2025, 10:39 a.m. EST
- Port authorities informed that congestion is gradually decreasing, but the scheduling of vessel arrivals and departures is still being affected."The services of Port of Antwerp-Bruges are doing everything possible to minimize the impact, but disruptions are expected to continue until after the weekend," said the statement.
This is a developing story. We'll post updates as they happen.
Starting Monday morning, lasher workers at the Port of Rotterdam, represented by the FNV union, suspended their strike for five days following an agreement with lasher companies.
Hundreds of workers joined a strike that began on Wednesday, October 8, demanding better wages and work conditions. The stoppage caused significant congestion in Europe's largest port and prevented the processing of vessels.
The Port of Rotterdam Authority explained to FreshFruitPortal.com that a broad delegation of logistics representatives requested a court intervention to ban or limit the strike due to its significant social consequences.
"During the hearing and under the guidance of the court, the parties agreed on a working method, which means that four days of work will resume next week, starting at 7 a.m. on Monday,” the Authority said in a statement. “The lashing companies and the union, FNV Havens, will also resume negotiations on Sunday morning. Strikes may resume this Friday if no agreement is reached between the lashing workers and their employers in the meantime."
According to port companies, the adopted solution is far from ideal, but it will allow the point of entry to reopen, resupply the region, and help alleviate some of the accumulated backlog.
"The aim was and is to protect the interests of the logistics sector and society from the far-reaching consequences of the strike. We remain of the opinion that the action is currently causing disproportionate damage and putting serious pressure on the security of supply," the port authority said.
Strikes and protests continue in Antwerp
Port pilots—who board vessels to guide them safely in and out of the port—have been on strike since Sunday, October 5, in protest against federal pension system reforms.
Antwerp Port reported at 07:00 (local time) on October 13 that there were 93 vessels without a known schedule and 19 vessels that are experiencing delays. In Zeebrugge, 12 vessels are experiencing delays.
*This is a developing story...
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