Northern Europe seems to have become the latest region being impacted by labour disputes at its ports, following on from the disruption witnessed in North America during recent times.

Only eighteen months ago, port workers on the US West Coast hosted a series of go-slows and threatened to walk out before a resolution was found between unions and port owners.

This was followed by a series of strikes on the West Coast of Canada last year, then by a walk out at 36 ports on the US East and Gulf Coasts in October, which was only resolved last month, and several walkouts at Montreal.

It now seems to be Northern European port owners in the firing line, with ongoing disputes currently impacting Rotterdam and Le Havre.

Rotterdam is braced for more disruption after a strike last weekend. The dispute over port automation, which was also the final issue to be agreed in the US East and Gulf Coast dispute, remains unresolved.

Further actions are expected, which may vary from slowdowns to full walkouts, and may occur without prior warning, according to the operator of one of its terminals.

Le Havre port workers have also begun a series of port strikes, with four-hour stoppages continuing today, February 20th and 24th. This dispute is linked to the ongoing national pension reform actions and a complete walkout is planned for the last three days of this month.

It would appear, that North America has passed the port dispute virus on to Europe.