The strikes, a continuation of previous action by port workers last year, is a protest against government plans to introduce temporary contracts. A report by Inchcape Shipping Services has warned that the strikes will cause huge backlogs at Lisbon commercial ports, which have already suffered from staff shortages for some time.
The strikes at Lisbon port commercial terminals have been underway since 6 November, and are set to continue for a total of four hours every day until 27 November, as well as any period when an outside worker or truck driver is used by the terminals.
Strikes will also take place at Lisbon port Liscont Container Terminal, for 24 hours on 15 November and 18 November, completely shutting down operations at the port. Tanker terminals have not been affected so far.
“It is believed that the ongoing nature of this strike action and the existing shortage of stevedores gangs may cause major backlogs in the coming weeks, with some shipping lines considering suspending Lisbon port calls until the action has ended,” said ISS operations manager for Algercias & Iberia, Julian Isola. “We would like to stress that tanker vessels are currently unaffected and bulk carriers are unlikely to suffer any more than minor delays.”
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