Shipping attention! Most of the country's ports declare force majeure due to workers' strike! Terminal suspension

It is reported that on October 6, workers of South African port terminal operator Transnet launched a strike over a wage dispute, and then the operator declared force majeure at the port. This could lead to the paralysis of port services and disruption of exports, which will also affect its rail freight network.

Transnet owns and operates 16 terminals in 7 ports in South Africa, seven ports including Cape Town, Durban, East London, Port Elizabeth, Ngqura, Richards Bay Bay) and Saldanha Bay.

According to union data, the two major unions, the South African National Transport Union (UNTU) and the South African Transport and United Workers Union (SATAWU), representing about 48,500 workers in South African ports, have demanded wage increases of 12% and 13.5% respectively, while Transnet’s latest proposal is A salary increase of 3%-4%, so the two sides failed to reach an agreement.

Previously,The UNTU union announced a strike on October 6, while members of the SATAWU union plan to join the strike on October 10.

According to local reports, Transnet deemed the strike illegal and responded by declaring force majeure at its ports. "This is an official statement from Transnet, following the announcement of a strike by two unions, a force majeure event for all of our customers."

Transnet said in a statement: "This strikeIt is expected to have a significant impact on the South African economy and also on economic activity across all sectors, want workers to consider the long-term consequences of the strike for themselves and the entire South African economy. "

The company stated: "It is unclear how long the strike will last, it is impossible to predict the number of people involved in the strike or its potential impact on operations, but we remain committed to discussing a revised salary increase proposal to the UNTU and SATAWU unions until all port operations and the entire supply chain are back to normal. "

It is reported that,Durban Port Pier 24 boats are moored, 1 is off the dock and 7 boats are expected to arrive this week but there are no staff to service them, whileDurban Port Pier 1There is 1 ship berthed and 4 crews serve it.Cape Town Container TerminalThere are no staff on duty, only two boats are moored at the pier, and there are five ships outside the pier.Ngqura Container TerminalThere is no staff on duty, only 1 boat is moored, 2 boats are waiting outside the dock, and 10 more boats are expected to arrive in the next 10 days.

South Africa is the latest country to see port workers go on strike over wages. There have also been recent strikes at the ports of Felixstowe and Liverpool in the UK, while the German port of Hamburg also went on strike in early summer.