Escalating European Port Strikes Trigger Supply Chain Crisis: How Shippers Can Respond

Sweden’s 6-Port Strike Schedule Paralyzes Operations

Kuehne + Nagel’s latest alert reveals strikes across Swedish ports from June 19 to 26, with key disruptions including:

Gothenburg Port (APM Terminal): Nordic’s largest container hub will strike from 12:00-21:00 on June 23-24, crippling regional container traffic.

Halmstad Port: Two shutdowns on June 23 (06:00-23:00) and 24, risking cargo transport 中断.

Helsingborg Port: “Five No Actions” (no overtime, hiring, new jobs, extra work, or transfers) from June 19-24 will slash operational efficiency.

Malmö Port: Strikes on June 23-24 (9:00-19:00) hit southern Sweden’s shipping hub.

Piteå Port: A 43-hour strike from June 24 (14:15) to 26 (06:00) threatens cargo backlogs.

Sundsvall Port: A 48-hour shutdown from June 23 (07:00) to 25 (01:00) disrupts bulk cargo flows.

Despite ongoing labor negotiations, Kuehne + Nagel warns of “high risks of further disruptions,” urging shippers to prepare urgently.

Escalating European Port Strikes Trigger Supply Chain Crisis

Belgium’s June 25 National Strike Spurs Antwerp Congestion Record

Belgian unions have called a nationwide strike for June 25, impacting Antwerp Port, which already faces:

Efficiency Collapse: Yard utilization exceeds 90%, with hazardous cargo handling delays surpassing 48 hours.

Cost Surge: Carriers have imposed a 30% surcharge on container demurrage fees due to prolonged waiting times.

Ripple Effects: Rotterdam and Hamburg ports are diverting Antwerp’s overflow, but their own yards are strained, creating system-wide bottlenecks.

3 Strategic Moves for Shippers to Mitigate Delays

As strike waves intensify, shippers can adopt these measures to minimize risks:

Alternative Route Planning:

Redirect Nordic cargo to Germany’s Bremen or Denmark’s Aarhus Port.
For Belgium, confirm yard bookings 72 hours in advance and prioritize “quayside direct pickup” services.

Pre-Approved Document Submission:

Submit full documentation (commercial invoices, packing lists) alongside bills of lading to avoid customs clearance holdups.

Cost Hedging Strategies:

Negotiate “delay compensation clauses” with freight forwarders or purchase logistics interruption insurance to cover demurrage and storage costs.

Industry Alert: Peak Shipping Season Under Threat

With the Sweden-Belgium strike wave coinciding with Europe’s peak shipping season (June-August), logistics giants like Kuehne + Nagel and DHL have issued “red alerts,” predicting port congestion will persist until early July. Shippers and forwarders with imminent European shipments are advised to monitor real-time port updates to avoid losses.

Stay tuned for ongoing coverage of European port strike developments.