Container operations at Europe’s largest port, Rotterdam, have come to a standstill as lashers began a 48-hour strike on Wednesday afternoon to demand higher wages, while harbour pilots’ protests in neighbouring Antwerp-Bruges continue to disrupt marine traffic.
Dutch union FNV said workers at International Lashing Services and Matrans Marine Services — the two lashing firms active in Rotterdam — stopped work at 15.15 hrs local time and will remain off duty until the same time on Friday.
As lashers are responsible for securing containers aboard vessels, the walkout means no ship can be loaded or unloaded during the strike period, the union said. Major terminals across the port are expected to feel the impact, with some boxships already facing extended laytime.
A spokesperson for the Port of Rotterdam Authority confirmed that the strike would affect vessel turnaround times but said it was too early to quantify the scale of disruption.
The industrial unrest adds to broader regional turmoil. In Belgium, Flemish harbour pilots have been protesting against federal pension reforms, triggering significant delays at Antwerp-Bruges, Europe’s second-largest port.
According to port authorities, only 31 ships were handled on Tuesday, compared with an average of 60 to 80 daily. As of Wednesday morning, over 100 vessels were waiting to enter or leave the port, with several diversions reported.
Pilots, represented by the Beroepsvereniging van Loodsen, are limiting work to office hours as part of their action. Negotiations with the government remain stalled, with both sides waiting for the other to resume talks. The pilots have protested for months, arguing that recent pension reforms unfairly target their sector and could reduce future benefits.
The combined strikes in Rotterdam and Antwerp — two of Europe’s most critical maritime gateways — are already prompting warnings of knock-on effects across North Europe’s container and energy supply chains if they drag on.
