In light of the recent strikes in France against the proposed pension reform, Maersk provides an update on the situation and how it can potentially affect cargo flows.
According to the announcement. the ongoing nationwide strikes affect all forms of transport across the entire country impacting the whole transportation sector, including Maersk’s ocean and inland services. As consequence, Maersk is seeing significant disruptions to its network in both North and South of France. Recent attempts at arbitration and mitigating the situation have been unsuccessful and we therefore expect further delays and disruptions.
At Le Havre, Maersk’s primary port in the North, a 72-hour dockworkers and port workers strike has been announced, starting at 06:00 on 14th January and lasting until 06:00 on 17th January, according to theDanish company. In addition, a 24-hour strike has been announced for towage operations, starting at 08:00 on 17th January and lasting until 08:00 on 18th January, with a potential extension to 19th January (not confirmed at the moment). Similar strike patterns, involving stevedores and tug boat operators, are expected also in the future, seriously limiting the ability of mainline vessels to berth and undergo cargo operations.
Below are Maersk’s confirmed contingency plans for specific services normally calling Le Havre over the coming days:
- AE6 (MSC Jewel) – Limited loadings to ensure vessel sailed prior to strike commencing (departed January 12th)
- EUROSAL (CMA CGM Tanya) – will omit Le Havre
- AE7 (Eugen Maersk) – will omit Le Havre
- AE6 (MSC Katrina), PCRF (Domingo), Samba (Cap San Artemisio), TA2 (Maersk Gairloch) – schedules currently under review.
At Fos-sur-Mer, Maersk’s primary port in the South, a similar dockworkers and port workers strike has been announced, starting at 06:00 on 14th January and lasting until 06:00 on 17th January. Tug boat (towage operations) strike has also been announced, starting at 06:00 on 15th January and lasting until 06:00 on 20th January.
Below are Maersk’s confirmed contingency plans for specific services normally calling Fos over the coming days:
- AE20 (MSC Rosa M, MSC Trieste) – Fos-sur-Mer call still under evaluation subject to potential future labour disruptions.
- ME2 (Maersk Kotka, Maersk Sebarok, Maersk Karlskrona, Maersk Serangoon) – Fos-sur-Mer call still under evaluation subject to potential future labour disruptions.
- MMX service remains the only one to continue to call Fos at the moment. The plan is for the service to be used to the extent possible to alternatively route cargo in and out of Fos via the existing network.
