Felixstowe Strike: Contingency Plans

The Felixstowe strike is still currently set to start from this Sunday, 21st August, and run until Monday 29th August.

The impact of this strike action at Felixstowe will have an impact on UK supply chains and below is what we have established regarding carriers contingencies.

The 2M and Ocean Alliance have largely changed port rotations so that vessels, that were initially due to arrive during the strike period, will now arrive before or after.  Maersk & MSC,  for example, have no vessels currently due between the 19th and 29th.

The Alliance are planning to remove Felixstowe containers at Piraeus for one vessel that was due on 20th August. These will then be collected by the following week’s vessel which is due at the end of the strike.

Rather than the expected large scale diversions of vessels to other congested UK or Northern European ports, the plans on Asia routes seem to be best placed to avoid mass chaos next week.

Of course, we expect there to be little or no collections and deliveries from the port next week. Therefore, disruption, rent and demurrage, and elevated costs are likely to feature prominently.

Atlantic Pacific will continue to watch the situation closely and update on any developments.