Belgium: A nationwide strike broke out on May 20, and the maritime service agency personnel stopped working completely, paralyzing port operations. In response to the strike, the Port Authority suspended truck export delivery business from 22:00 on May 19 to 6:00 on May 21. During this period, only import pick-up and empty container inspection were accepted. Export cargo transportation was completely stagnant. Shippers and freight forwarders shipping to Belgium need to urgently assess the logistics delay losses.
Sweden: The dock and transport unions issued a strike warning due to the breakdown of collective agreement negotiations. On May 21, the dock union will implement a phased strike at ports across the country. If the negotiations are fruitless, it may be upgraded to a full shutdown; the transport union will act simultaneously, first blocking new employees and temporary workers on the 21st, and launching a series of strikes in multiple ports from May 30th. Port manpower and transportation capacity are both restricted, and the logistics chain faces continued turmoil.
South African crisis: Wage negotiations for state-owned transport giants (covering railway and port businesses) have reached a deadlock, and thousands of workers have authorized strikes. If no agreement is reached this week, the union will initiate a 48-hour strike notice, and port and rail transportation may be completely shut down. South Africa's import and export logistics may fall into "national chaos", which will have a significant impact on bulk commodities and cross-border trade.
Shipping warning: The above ports cover key logistics nodes in Europe and Africa. The strike has caused operational interruptions, extended timeliness, and rising costs. Shippers and freight forwarders need to urgently check transportation plans, give priority to alternative ports or transportation methods, closely follow the dynamics of the strike, communicate risks with customers and suppliers in advance, and avoid cargo backlogs and delivery defaults.