Dockworkers in Europe and the Mediterranean stop work against arms shipments through ports

Dockworkers in several countries in Europe and the Mediterranean went on strike and protested on Friday against the shipment of weapons through ports and for better working conditions, according to the AP news agency. The organizers say more than 100 ports joined; AP has not verified that figure and cautions that participation ranged from one-day strikes to brief stoppages and demonstrations.

The joint call was signed by unions from France, Italy, Greece, Spain, Turkey and Morocco, according to AP. In France, the CGT ports federation called a day of strike action in Le Havre, Marseille, Dunkirk and Rouen; in Italy, the USB union announced protests in Genoa, Trieste and Gioia Tauro; and in Greece, the ENEDEP union called a strike in Piraeus, where a 24-hour seafarers' strike also kept ships moored and disrupted ferries.

In Spain, dockworkers at the port of Barcelona called out by the Suds.cat platform stopped work from 13:00 to 15:00 to hold an assembly and marched from 18:30 to 21:00 from Avinguda del Paral·lel to the World Trade Center, where the Port Authority has its offices, according to Diario El Canal.

The experts consulted by AP expect a limited effect on supply chains. Marcus Baker, of Marsh, said a 24-hour strike is unlikely to disrupt global trade, although it may affect perishable goods, and Judah Levine, of Freightos, noted that in Genoa, where ships already wait one or two days to berth, congestion may increase. There are no official figures on ships or containers affected.