GLOBAL maritime services provider, Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS), has warned that the strike action at Lisbon commercial ports by the Stevedores' Union will have a major impact on port operations in the coming weeks.
ISS said "it is anticipated that the ongoing wave of strike action will cause major backlogs at Lisbon commercial ports which already have a shortage of stevedores gangs."
The union announced that at Lisbon port commercial terminals (tanker terminals currently remain unaffected) will be affected during the following periods: From November 13-20, four hours stoppage every day 0900-1000 hrs, 1500-1600 hrs, 1800-1900 hrs and 2200-2300 hrs on weekdays; from November 20-27, four hours stoppage every day 0900-1000 hrs and 1500-1600 hrs and 1800-1900 hrs and 2200-2300 hrs on weekdays; and all periods whenever any outside worker or truck driver is used by the terminals.
The Stevedores' union has also announced strike action on work carried out on any vessel at Lisbon port Liscont Container Terminal during the following periods: November 15 from 0800 to 0800 hrs the following day; and on November 18 from 0800 to 0800 hrs until November 20.
In addition, due to operational constraints Liscont Terminal will not be able to carry out service operations during the days of strike action, that is from November 15 from 0800 hrs until 0800 hrs on November 20.
At Setubal and Figueira da Foz ports, strike action only applies for vessels deviated from Lisbon port.
ISS Operations manager Algercias & Iberia, Julian Isola, said: "It is believed that the ongoing nature of this strike action and the existing shortage of stevedores gangs may cause major backlogs in the coming weeks, with some shipping lines considering suspending Lisbon port calls until the action has ended. We would like to stress that tanker vessels are currently unaffected and bulk carriers are unlikely to suffer any more than minor delays."
This new wave of strikes is a continuation of strike action last year by stevedores who are protesting against government plans to introduce temporary contracts, ISS added.
PORTS
15 November 2013 - 00:21
Strike action by stevedores in Portugal to have major impact on Lisbon commercial ports
GLOBAL maritime services provider, Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS), has warned that the strike action at Lisbon commercial ports by the Stevedores' Union will have a major impact on port operations in the coming weeks.
PORTS
15 November 2013 - 00:21
Strike action by stevedores in Portugal to have major impact on Lisbon commercial ports
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