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Container traffic at Rotterdam's port is disrupted by a strike by lashers for higher wages

On Wednesday afternoon, the largest seaport in Europe, Rotterdam, went on strike for 48 hours to demand higher salaries. Meanwhile in the neighbouring Belgian port's main port Flemish harbourpilots were protesting pension reforms.

The FNV union said that all workers of International Lashing Services (ILS) and Matrans Marine Services (Matrans Marine Services), the two lashing firms active in the Dutch ports, stopped working at 3:15 pm (1310 GMT), and will continue their strike to the same time Friday.

The FNV stated that during the two-day strike, no container ships can be unloaded or loaded at the port while lashers are securing the ship's cargo.

Niek Stam, FNV's spokesman, said: "Without lashers, the entire port grinds to an halt."

The Rotterdam Port Authority said that the strike would certainly affect traffic but it is too early to estimate its impact.

International Lashing Services and Matrans Marine Service were not available for immediate comment.

Port authorities in Belgium have reported that the maritime traffic at Antwerp-Bruges was severely disrupted for four days by Flemish harbourpilots who were protesting federal pension reforms.

The port of Antwerp, which normally processes 60-80 ships per day, only processed 31 vessels on February 2, with some delayed or stranded, and others headed to other destinations.

(source: Reuters)