Collective Labour Agreement (CLA) discussions are taking place between unions and APM Terminals (APMT) Maasvlakte II in Rotterdam, A. P. Moller – Maersk (Maersk) has told shippers.
Maersk said negotiations started on 8 December and operations are affected by a go-slow action as of 11 December.
Ongoing industrial action is affecting number of moves per hour conducted at the terminal, and consequently “prolonging the time vessels are operated on and significantly disrupting their normal schedules,” said the company.
Maersk anticipates a slowdown and delays in container handling of all modalities.
In the meantime, the Danish giant is evaluating alternative solutions to prevent congestion, such as diverting vessels different terminals.
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“Please note that at this stage, we expect the action to continue for the next 24 hours,” reads the company’s statement.
“As discussions are still ongoing between the parties, there could be changes to the scheduled go-slow action at the very last minute, including the possibility of an agreement being reached and the go-slow actions being cancelled.”
The port said that over 90 per cent of its workers have agreed to accept a pay deal that would lift wages 8.5 per cent next year.
