Ports and air cargo disrupted across Europe amid widespread industrial action

A wave of industrial action is paralysing Europe’s freight networks, with major disruptions reported at the ports of Rotterdam, Antwerp, Zeebrugge, and within Belgium’s air cargo sector. 

Dockworkers, pilots, and ground staff have all launched strikes over pay and pension disputes, threatening to ripple across European supply chains in the coming days, foreign media reports.

At the Port of Rotterdam, Europe’s largest seaport, lashing workers have extended their strike indefinitely after mediation talks collapsed on Friday, October 10. The industrial action, which began on October 8, has brought container handling to a complete standstill.

The union FNV Havens confirmed that negotiations with International Lashing Service (ILS) and Matrans Marine Services ended without agreement. All major container terminals — including APM Maasvlakte II, ECT Delta, RWG, and Euromax—are affected. According to the port authority, more than 18 ships are currently waiting off the coast. The union is demanding a 7% pay rise, along with automatic inflation adjustments.

Belgium has faced similar disruptions in its key ports. Since October 5, maritime traffic at Antwerp, Zeebrugge, and Ghent has been heavily impacted by a pilots’ strike against the federal government’s proposed pension reform. By midweek, approximately 80 ocean-going and coastal vessels were waiting to enter or exit port, according to Belgian media.

Trade union ACOD warned that younger pilots could see up to a 45% reduction in their future pensions under the proposed changes, while the pilots’ association BvL criticised plans to exclude special bonuses from pension calculations.

As ports continue to face delays, Belgium is now bracing for a national logistics shutdown. Freight forwarder DSV has announced that all Belgian trade unions plan a 24-hour strike beginning at 6:00 a.m. on October 14 and continuing until 6:00 a.m. on October 15, targeting the air freight sector. Ground handling, security, and customs personnel are expected to join, primarily affecting Brussels (BRU) and Liège (LGG) airports.

DSV warned in a customer notice that outbound cargo flights will be cancelled, incoming shipments delayed or rerouted, and access roads to both airports “severely impacted.” Brussels Airport confirmed that staff from its main security provider will participate, making “safe operations impossible.”

Industry sources predict that express and e-commerce shipments will likely be rerouted through Frankfurt, Luxembourg, Paris, or Amsterdam to maintain service continuity amid the strikes.

By Tamilla Hasanova