Now No Threat Of Indian Port Strike This Month

UPDATE – August 29th

Port strike has now been called off after the parties agreed a five-year contract.

Original Article 21st August:

On the eve of a planned national rail strike in Canada, which would significantly disrupt logistics in the region, the threat of another major logistics strike looms large in India.

Indian port workers are set to go on strike at state run ports from August 28th, over pay, allowances and pension demands.

The National Coordination Committee of Port Workers met at V.O.C. Port in Thoothukudi recently, and subsequently announced the industrial action, which is expected to impact India’s twelve major ports.

After prolonged negotiations with the Ministry of Shipping, the union has heavily criticised the government’s “illogical and illegal guidelines” for stalling on a settlement, as no contract has been in place since the previous deal expired in 2021.

Port congestion and delays due to the Red Sea crisis have been impacting ocean freight supply chains to and from India for some time. However, if the planned strike does go ahead, disruption will undoubtedly become significantly worse.

Westbound are keeping a close eye on developments.