Strikes at 113 ports across 22 countries disrupt cargo and ferry services, with Greece heavily impacted by protests against arms shipments.
International strikes and protests have begun, covering 113 ports in 22 countries worldwide. Actions organized against arms shipments and the loss of seafarers' lives in war zones have disrupted cargo operations and ferry services in many countries, particularly Greece.
Global maritime trade faced a significant challenge on Friday, October 30, with an internationally coordinated strike by port workers. According to a report published by Reuters today, the actions, supported by more than 25 unions, have transformed into an organization encompassing a total of 113 ports across 22 countries.
The movement, initiated by unions in Italy, France, Greece, Turkey, Morocco, and Spain's Basque region, has spread to important maritime trade centers extending from Europe to Asia.
Port workers are opposing the use of commercial ports for the shipment of arms and military supplies, while demanding the safety of seafarers operating in conflict zones, increased wages, and improved working conditions.
Approximately 3,000 workers went on strike at the Port of Piraeus.
One of the most notable impacts of the strike was felt in Greece. Approximately 3,000 port workers and seafarers participated in the protests at the country's largest port, Piraeus.
As cargo operations at the port were disrupted, ferry services to the Greek islands were also halted.
Maritime unions in Greece have called on international maritime organizations to take action, stating that ship personnel operating in war zones are facing increasingly severe security threats.
The protests also affected the Port of Thessaloniki. According to Anadolu Agency, more than 200 containers and trucks were halted during a three-hour work stoppage.
Hamburg, Genoa, Valencia, and Le Havre are also at the center of the protests.
Among the significant maritime trade centers affected by the strike are Germany's Hamburg, Spain's Valencia and Algeciras, France's Le Havre and Marseille, Italy's Genoa, and Morocco's Tangier Med ports.
India's Nhava Sheva Port has also come into focus as part of the international actions.
In France, the CGT Ports et Docks union has called for a one-day strike at major ports, while in Italy, port actions have merged with nationwide protests.
In Turkey, it was reported that an anti-war and disarmament demonstration was held in front of Istanbul's Haydarpaşa Port.
Strike organizers claimed that the actions could affect more than 40% of the cargo traffic in the Mediterranean.
The campaign group No Harbour for Genocide, which operates against arms shipments, stated that approximately 52,000 containers and cargo worth $2.8 billion could be impacted.
However, Reuters reported that it could not independently verify these figures.
Maritime and logistics experts assessed that a one-day strike is not expected to cause a large-scale halt in global trade, but delays and increased waiting times in busy ports, especially for time-sensitive cargo, could occur.
One of the significant agenda items of the protests has been the dangers faced by seafarers in conflict zones.
According to a statement from the Greek seafarers' union PENEN, 570 attacks on ships in the Black Sea have been recorded since the beginning of 2026. The union claimed that 40 seafarers lost their lives in these attacks, and hundreds were injured.
The same statement noted that there were 28 attacks on commercial vessels in the Gulf region during the first 21 days of October.
These figures are based on the union's statement and should not be considered as independently verified official totals.
One of the foundations of the collective action of international port workers is the Istanbul Declaration published by port unions in more than 35 European countries in May 2026.
The declaration called for port facilities not to be used for arms shipments to conflict zones.
With the international actions on October 30, unions reiterated the message that workers in maritime trade must act collectively against the economic and humanitarian consequences of wars.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
