As already announced, and in response to the Stevedoring Liberalization Royal Decree approval by the Spanish Parliament; the Longshoremen-Stevedoring Unions, and in particular the leading Union named Coordinadora, once more re-confirmed “All Out Strike” affecting, without exception, all Spanish ports within the following period:

• Strike to be applicable on odd hours, only.
• Affected dates: 24th, 26th, 29th,31st May and 2nd, 5th, 7th and 9th June.

Today at 16:00 hours, there will be a meeting between all Stevedoring Unions and the private Stevedoring Companies Association ANESCO. There has been quite positive speculation, about the goodwill attitude of the Stevedoring Unions not to implement the first three days of the strike, as a demonstration of their willingness to achieve a non-traumatic agreement, aimed at partially satisfying all parties.

Since the moment that the approval of the Royal Decree was announced, some ports have been suffering low productivity due to «work by rule/ work by the book». This slow productivity has been, for the time being, mainly affecting Container ports located in the Mediterranean Sea, compelling some large container operators to divert their vessels to other alternative neighbouring ports, whilst at Northern Spanish ports the Stevedoring Union Actions is still in the air.

UECC is proactively keeping in close contact with Customers, Port Operators, Port Authorities and all required parties to mitigate and minimise the impact of this challenging situation.

Please rest assured, that you will be punctually informed of any mutually required corrective and preventive actions, and hopefully the positive development of the upcoming negotiations.

Yours Sincerely,

Helen Bjerke Olafsen
Head of Trade & Operation