The Finnish Transport Workers' Union (AKT) and The Finnish Port Operators Association have reached an agreement in the collective agreement negotiations. As a result, a two-week stevedoring strike has ended. Stevedores will return to work as soon as possible but no later than Saturday 4th of March. Ports are gradually returning to normal operation, congestions and delays may still occur.
Sea logistics
The first container ships have started to unload the cargo at the ports. However, some of the container ships are still waiting for their turn to enter the port. In import traffic, a few feeder vessels are already on their way to Finland. However, there are still many containers in Europe waiting to be shipped to Finland.
According to our knowledge, shipping companies follow the first in/first out principle when loading containers onboard vessels. At export, the schedule of feeder traffic is becoming more accurate. We ask our customers to contact us in order to ensure the container availability, cargo space and/or schedule for your shipments.
Unfortunately, the congestion caused by the strike will cause delays in container traffic during the upcoming week. Exceptional arrangements for LCL export departures will continue during this week in order to ensure shipping. LCL additional strike charges for export shipments will be removed at the beginning of next week, as LCL export traffic gradually returns to normal.
Road logistics
Road transport operations should return to normal as of Sunday, March 5th. However, delays and congestion may still occur. Additional strike charges will be charged of shipments which have departed before the 4th of March.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your Kuehne+Nagel representative.
