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Port Strike – Portugal

As received from MSC on 8th December 2022, Port Authority Union Workers have issued a national pre-notice strike starting on 00:00h of 22nd December and according below timelines:

From :

  • 00:00h of 22nd December, until 24:00h 23rd of December
  • 00:00h of 27th December, until 24:00h 29th of December
  • 00:00h until 24:00h of 02nd January
  • 00:00h until 24:00h of 06th January
  • 00:00h until 24:00h of 09th January
  • 00:00h until 24:00h of 13th January
  • 00:00h until 24:00h of 16th January
  • 00:00h until 24:00h of 20th January
  • 00:00h until 24:00h of 23rd January
  • 00:00h until 24:00h of 27th January
  • 00:00h until 24:00h of 30th January

Above update refers to below ports :

  • Figueira Da Foz – Figueira Da Foz Terminal
  • Leixoes – Leixoes Container Terminal
  • Lisboa – Liscont Container Terminal
  • Setubal – Multi Purpose Terminal 1 Tersado
  • Sines – Sines Container Terminal.

The reason for the presentation of this Prior Strike Notice, among others, is the failure by the Port Administrations to discuss several matters such as increase of salaries & review of labour conditions that unfortunately, until today, there were not any feedback. It is proposed as minimum services to be provided during the strike periods declared above:

  1. Operations that have as their object medicines and articles or equipment for hospital use or consumption, provided that their urgency is proven by the responsible entities, namely the Portuguese Health Authority;
  2. Handling of harmful and/or dangerous goods, provided that it is technically proven through the competent authorities, namely the Maritime Police, that their lack of handling during a strike may put people at risk;
  3. Loading/discharge of live animals and perishable foodstuffs, which cannot be postponed;
  4. Operational interventions whose implementation is essential in the event of fire, collision, open water and ship grounding;
  5. Departure of vessels in port, due to security procedures, already in progress, that cannot remain on the quay, namely oil tankers after operating and vessels with dangerous cargo on board (HazMat) of class 1, explosives, and class 5.2, organic peroxides;
  6. Services of Portuguese humanitarian and military bunkers.
  7. Within the scope of the Liquid Bulk Terminal in Sines, allow the movement of vessels necessary to avoid the disruption of supply to Portuguese military aircraft and ensure, if this proves necessary, the supply of fuel so as not to cause a stoppage refineries, as well as the minimum services already defined in the Judgment of the Arbitration Court of 8 September 2011 (Proc. Nº 35/2011-SM);
  8. Movement of vessels docked for disembarkation of sick or seriously injured and dead, as well as for the repair of damage that jeopardizes safety;
  9. Maintenance of port security conditions and intervention in the event of an accident or incident;

The strike notice covers services rendered by all port workers, including port control workers, pilot boats, crews and even some pilots associated with the protesting union.