Port Labour Disputes Ease as Carriers Adjust Capacity

North European ports are recovering from a turbulent October marked by strikes, slowdowns, and strategic capacity withdrawals that continue to test vessel schedule reliability across major trade lanes.

In Rotterdam, port operations normalised following the end of a strike on 17 October, after lashers accepted a new contract providing a 20% wage increase over three years. The settlement allowed the port to clear a backlog of around 30 container vessels, restoring regular quay operations and inland connections.

In Antwerp, however, tensions remain unresolved. Harbour pilots suspended strike action after a ten-day protest over proposed pension reforms, but are now operating under “maximum rest” conditions, a form of weaponised compliance that has slowed vessel movements and cargo flows. The Flemish government has granted a temporary reprieve while talks continue, but a full agreement must be reached by the end of November to avoid renewed disruption. The lingering uncertainty adds pressure to already stretched supply chains reliant on North European gateways.

Vessel Schedule Reliability Plateaus

According to Sea-Intelligence data, global schedule reliability has plateaued at around 65%, well below pre-pandemic norms but relatively stable compared with mid-year levels.

The improvement seen through early 2025 appears to have levelled off, as labour disputes and weather-related delays offset gains from improved fleet deployment. Carriers within alliances are maintaining higher consistency, yet reliability remains uneven across regions, with Northern Europe continuing to feel the impact of port congestion and labour constraints.

Blank Sailings Maintain Market Discipline

The U.S.–China trade truce at the end of October brought a degree of calm to ocean freight markets, but carriers are continuing to manage supply through selective blank sailings.

Between weeks 46 and 50 (10 November–14 December), approximately 7% of scheduled sailings (52 out of 721) have been withdrawn, primarily on transpacific eastbound (48%), Asia–Europe/Med (35%), and transatlantic westbound (17%) routes.

Despite these adjustments, 93% of departures are expected to proceed as planned, with the GEMINI Cooperation achieving full schedule reliability (100%) and MSC close behind at 95%. The Ocean Alliance, Premier Alliance, and independent carriers are operating between 89–91%.

Container rates edged up in early November following 1 November GRIs, with Drewry’s World Container Index reporting an 8% week-on-week rise, led by Asia–Europe and transpacific routes. With fewer cancellations and around 7% more capacity month-on-month, December is expected to see marginally higher space availability but continued volatility.

For shippers, the months ahead will demand agility and foresight, from early bookings to flexible scheduling, as carriers balance capacity discipline against weakening demand in the slack season.

We work closely with our network and carrier partners to keep cargo flowing through strikes, slowdowns and blank sailings. From time-critical moves to planned flows, our sea freight team secures the space and schedules your supply chain needs, on time and on budget.

EMAIL Andrew Smith, Managing Director, to explore how we can protect your ocean supply chains and help insulate you from market volatility.