After weeks of partial shutdown due to strikes, exporters are activating insurance and evaluating legal action in response to prolonged delays.

Since February 9, 2025, the Hutchinson Port Delta II terminal at the Port of Rotterdam—the largest in the European Union—has been experiencing severe congestion due to labor strikes related to disputes over the Collective Bargaining Agreement. Although operations resumed at full capacity on March 12, waiting times for ships to berth remain high, averaging seven days, according to Maersk. This situation has led exporters to consider legal action and activate insurance policies to cover losses resulting from the delays.

The labor dispute, stemming from disagreements over severance pay, automation, and financial guarantees, remains unresolved. Despite a tentative agreement reached in March, its implementation is contingent upon a pending vote. This operational uncertainty is keeping companies that rely on this crucial route between Asia and Europe on high alert, particularly those operating in sensitive sectors such as agricultural exports.

Adding to this scenario is a 2.8% increase in container volume in 2024, which has limited the port's capacity to absorb prolonged disruptions. Exporters from Latin America, including Chile, Colombia, and Peru, have had to resort to marine insurance policies, report potential damage, and coordinate joint inspections at their destinations. Experts recommend that those affected handle claims strategically, especially those without adequate coverage.

Source: portalfruticola.com