January - March 2025 - Work stoppages in French ports: dates and impact

The FNPD-CGT has announced nationwide four-hour work stoppages per day, typically between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm. The strikes are accompanied by a suspension of overtime and exceptional shifts, further amplifying the disruption.

• Tuesday, March 4: 4-hour stoppage (10 am - 4 pm)

• Thursday, March 6: 4-hour stoppage (10 am - 4 pm)

• Monday, March 10: 4-hour stoppage (10 am - 4 pm)

• Wednesday, March 12: 4-hour stoppage (10 am - 4 pm)

• Friday, March 14: 4-hour stoppage (10 am - 4 pm)

• March 18, 19 & 20: 72-hour strike including a "Dead Ports" operation on March 18

• Monday, March 24: 4-hour stoppage (10 am - 4 pm)

• Wednesday, March 26: 4-hour stoppage (10 am - 4 pm)

• Friday, March 28: 4-hour stoppage (10 am - 4 pm)

• January: 7, 9, 13, 15, 17, 21, 23, 27, 29, 48-hour strike on January 30-31

• February: 4, 6, 10, 12, 14, 18, 20, 24, 48-hour strike on February 26-27, 28

Disruptions to port services and shipping are to be expected, with a possible impact on ports in French overseas territories. These industrial actions are likely to result in:

• Delays in container loading and unloading, increasing ship waiting times.
• Congestion of port terminals.
• Longer transit times, with a domino effect on deliveries and the supply chain.
• Disruption to road infrastructure around French ports, due to heightened security measures at protest sites.
• Vessels are increasingly skipping French port calls, potentially discharging at alternative ports with additional costs for the freight owner’s account
• Delivery of import containers once customs cleared may take on average up to 10-15 days, delivery of export containers to terminal around 7-10 days
• Carriers invoice demurrage and detention charges as per standard conditions, invoking ‘force majeure’; standard port storage conditions also applied

It is important to note that the Port of Dunkirk is not affected by these strikes and continues to operate normally, ensuring uninterrupted cargo handling.
 

Our teams are actively working to minimize the impact of these disruptions on your operations. However, please note that any unexpected additional charges related to demurrage, detention, port storage, and trucking may arise. These unforeseen costs result from delays in container handling, extended transit times, and congestion at terminals.

To reduce the impact of these strikes on transport flows, we propose alternative solutions, including the use of substitute ports such as Antwerp and Rotterdam in the north, or Barcelona in the south.

However, these options are subject to prior review and evaluation, as these ports are also experiencing heavy congestion due to the redirection of maritime traffic.

Lastly, it is important to remember that the timetable for industrial action remains provisional, subject to change as a result of discussions between the Docker's Union (Fédération Nationale des Ports & Docks C.G.T) and the French Government. Discussions are currently underway between the Docker’s Union and the French Government, with the possibility of lifting strike notices for some of the announced February dates.
 

We are closely monitoring the situation and remain available to assist you with any questions or specific needs.