For customers planning on moving to and from the UK, Abels Moving Services have been provided with information from our agents about unannounced work stoppages at the APM Terminals in Rotterdam. Many international shipping services use Rottedam as a hub to onward ship containers on route to and from the UK.
This labour dispute is due to the current Collective Labour Agreement (CLA)/(CAO) negotiations for the new facility of APM Terminals in Rotterdam, the current facility of APM Terminals in Rotterdam has been confronted with unannounced work stoppages.
It is not known how long these work interruptions will last, and shipping lines are not a party in this dispute, but unfortunately their service is impacted by this current situation.
Contingency plans
In order to safeguard the transportation of your cargo, a series of contingencies have been put in place for all vessels involved in this dispute.
Import
A number of ocean vessels carrying cargo destined for Belfast, Grangemouth, Teesport, and South Shields have omitted Rotterdam and as a result have discharged their cargo in Antwerp. The cargo discharged at Antwerp will then be fed to these ports at the earliest opportunity.
Export
These difficulties will ultimately have a detrimental effect on overall feeder schedules from the UK and Northern Ireland as shipping lines minimise delays by calling at additional ports. Shipping lines are looking to secure as many export routings as possible via the port of Felixstowe and possibly Antwerp in the coming weeks.
The contingencies being put in place will ensure the fastest possible transport of your goods under the current circumstances. Abels Moving Services will continue to monitor this regrettable situation and are doing everything we can to minimise delays. We will continue to provide you with the information you need to facilitate your planning processes and enable you to expedite pick-up/delivery as much as possible.
For customers moving internationally that may be affected by this dispute, please call your Abels customer liaison on their direct line or call head office on +44(0)1842 816600 or email shipping@abels.co.uk