World · Europe · 1 hr ago
Dockworkers strike across more than 100 ports over arms shipments and conditions
Dockworkers walked out at more than 100 ports across several countries on October 30.
Unions in France, Italy, Greece, Spain, Turkey and Morocco backed the action, which also involved ports beyond Europe.
They called for an end to wars in the Middle East, including the war in Gaza, and opposed using ports to move weapons and military equipment.
Workers also sought better pay and conditions, while seafarers raised concerns about safety and deaths in war zones.
The walkout disrupted cargo operations in Greece and suspended some ferry services, but experts expected limited effects on global trade.
Organizers said participation ranged from full-day strikes to shorter protests, so the scale of disruption remained unclear.
Dockworkers and seafarers staged strikes across Europe and beyond on October 30 to protest arms shipments and demand better working conditions.
Unions said the action involved ports in more than 100 locations across multiple countries, while the Straits Times reported 113 ports in 22 countries.
The walkouts disrupted cargo operations in Piraeus and suspended ferry services to Greek islands.
Protesters also called for higher pay, improved safety and medical care for seafarers crossing war zones.
The scale of disruption remained unclear, and Reuters said it could not independently verify one organizer’s estimate of the impact.
- Who
- Dockworkers and seafarers, backed by unions in multiple countries, took part.
- What
- They staged strikes and protests against arms shipments and called for better pay, working conditions and safety.
- When
- Friday, October 30, 2026.
- Where
- Ports across Europe and beyond, including Piraeus, Valencia, Le Havre, Algeciras, Genoa, Tangier Med and Nhava Sheva.
- Why
- Unions opposed the use of ports for arms shipments and cited war deaths. They also sought improved pay, working conditions and safety measures.
Dockworkers’ unions and campaigners
Israel
Arms shipments
Dockworkers’ unions and campaigners
Unions and campaigners called for ports not to transport weapons and military equipment to war zones.
Israel
Israel’s position on the strike and arms shipments is not stated.
Genocide allegation
Dockworkers’ unions and campaigners
Unions described ports as forwarding bases for war and genocide.
Israel
Israel denies that its war against Hamas in Gaza constitutes genocide.
Dockworkers’ unions from more than 35 European countries published the Istanbul Declaration, demanding that ports not transport weapons destined for war zones.
Dockworkers and seafarers staged strikes and protests across Europe and beyond.
- Reported coverage
- 113 ports in 22 countries, according to the Straits Times
- Piraeus participation
- About 3,000 dockworkers and seafarers joined the walkout
- Greek ferry services
- Suspended to Greek islands during the strike
- Black Sea attacks
- PENEN said 570 attacks on vessels had been confirmed so far in 2026, with 40 seafarers dead and hundreds wounded
- Gulf attacks
- PENEN reported 28 attacks on vessels in the first 21 days of October, a record since the start of the Iran war
3 sources
What people are saying
We will not work for their wars, and we will not become food for their cannons,
Seafarers have suffered many casualties — numbering in the hundreds — including both the dead and the severely injured,
Dockworkers do not work for war!
operational disruptions and shipment delays may occur at participating ports, with the duration and severity expected to vary by port, terminal, and level of local participation.