Container movements at Limassol—Cyprus’ main commercial harbour—ground to a halt on 3 November after hundreds of lorry drivers walked off the job at 06:00, accusing terminal operator Eurogate of ignoring long-standing grievances. The Pancyprian Transporters’ Union (POVEK) said talks with the transport and labour ministries ‘‘produced zero progress’’ on four key issues: excessive storage fees, counting the vessel’s docking day as a full billing day, limits on container height that force costly re-loading, and bureaucratic delays in registering extendable skeletal trailers.
By midday, more than 1,600 import containers and 900 export units were stuck inside the port, according to the Cyprus Ports Authority. Shipping agents warned that per-diem charges for demurrage and detention could jump by €150–€220 per box if the work-stoppage lasts a week, costs that will ripple through retailers ahead of the Black-Friday import surge. The Chamber of Commerce urged the government to trigger ‘‘minimum service’’ legislation, while pharmaceutical importers requested priority corridors for temperature-controlled cargo.
![Truckers shut Limassol Port in indefinite strike over fees and container rules]()
Eurogate CEO Alexandros Dimitriades issued a nine-point compromise letter, offering to revisit the controversial ‘‘ship day’’ rule and to install extra weigh-bridge lanes within 60 days, but drivers called the proposals ‘‘too little, too late.’’ The strike highlights the fragility of Cyprus’ supply chain; Limassol handles 95 % of the island’s container traffic and is the trans-shipment lifeline for UN peace-keeping forces in Lebanon and Syria.
Businesses with time-critical freight are advised to divert through Piraeus or Port Said, route cargo via Larnaca Airport where possible, and invoke force-majeure clauses in sales contracts. Customs brokers note that express clearance of humanitarian and medical supplies can still be requested by filing Form C171 online.
Labour Minister Yiannis Panayiotou convened an emergency tripartite meeting for 4 November. If no deal is reached, charterers may face slot shortages, as feeder operators MSC and Arkas are reportedly considering suspending Limassol calls. Observers also fear reputational damage to Cyprus’ ambition to serve as a regional logistics hub for post-war Gaza reconstruction.
By midday, more than 1,600 import containers and 900 export units were stuck inside the port, according to the Cyprus Ports Authority. Shipping agents warned that per-diem charges for demurrage and detention could jump by €150–€220 per box if the work-stoppage lasts a week, costs that will ripple through retailers ahead of the Black-Friday import surge. The Chamber of Commerce urged the government to trigger ‘‘minimum service’’ legislation, while pharmaceutical importers requested priority corridors for temperature-controlled cargo.
Eurogate CEO Alexandros Dimitriades issued a nine-point compromise letter, offering to revisit the controversial ‘‘ship day’’ rule and to install extra weigh-bridge lanes within 60 days, but drivers called the proposals ‘‘too little, too late.’’ The strike highlights the fragility of Cyprus’ supply chain; Limassol handles 95 % of the island’s container traffic and is the trans-shipment lifeline for UN peace-keeping forces in Lebanon and Syria.
Businesses with time-critical freight are advised to divert through Piraeus or Port Said, route cargo via Larnaca Airport where possible, and invoke force-majeure clauses in sales contracts. Customs brokers note that express clearance of humanitarian and medical supplies can still be requested by filing Form C171 online.
Labour Minister Yiannis Panayiotou convened an emergency tripartite meeting for 4 November. If no deal is reached, charterers may face slot shortages, as feeder operators MSC and Arkas are reportedly considering suspending Limassol calls. Observers also fear reputational damage to Cyprus’ ambition to serve as a regional logistics hub for post-war Gaza reconstruction.
