THE awarding of the 33-year concession to APM Terminals, the terminal operating arm of Maersk, to build and operate Costa Rica's new US$1 billion Moin Container Terminal (MCT) has sparked wildcat strikes.
Last Thursday, the port was forced to halt operations after dockers walked off the job in protest against the decision.
According to local press up to 68 dockers were arrested at Moin and Limon terminals after police engaged with the demonstrators at the request of the Costa Rican government, reported Lloyd's List.
The port has since reopened using dockers, including some from neighbouring countries, brought in to replace striking union members to handle cargo.
International Transport Workers' Federation(ITF) president Paddy Crumlin said the striking Moin dockers have the full support of the organisation.
Mr Crumlin said other Latin American dockers?unions have also backed the protests in Moin, presenting petitions to Costa Rica's regional embassies.
APM Terminals won approval earlier this month to move forward with the project after Costa Rica's Supreme Court rejected an appeal by the dockers union Sintrajap.
The union claimed the concession would create an "illegal monopoly" in Limon, granting the operator the exclusive right to handle containers.
The new terminal will open with an initial capacity of 1.3 million TEU, with the option to extend to 2.7 million TEU. It will be able to handle 13,500-TEU ships, up to five times larger than those now able to call at the nation's ports.
PORTS
01 November 2014 - 06:15
Dockers strike over APMT's concession at Costa Rica port
THE awarding of the 33-year concession to APM Terminals, the terminal operating arm of Maersk, to build and operate Costa Rica's new US$1 billion Moin Container Terminal (MCT) has sparked wildcat strikes.
PORTS
01 November 2014 - 06:15
Dockers strike over APMT's concession at Costa Rica port
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