Stevedores’ Strike Began in Finland – All Ports Closed

A strike by the Finnish Stevedores has brought cargo traffic at Finnish seaports to a stop at 06.00 this morning (March 4th, 2010). Negotiations with the state conciliator will continue as the timetable for the negotiations is confirmed.

International Road Freight

 The strike will delay all services, but our operational staff will look for alternative routes.

 Continent

• Cargo will be routed to the Helsinki - Travemünde -route when possible. Additional strike surcharges are now applicable.
• Northbound traffic: When cargo payable in Finland, please ask for a permission to load from our operational staff.
• Southbound traffic: When cargo payable by our partner, Itella Logistics' staff will ask you for a permission to load.
• Cargo is loaded if the strike surcharge is accepted. The shipment is left behind if the strike surcharge is not accepted.

Sweden, Norway, Denmark, the Baltic states and U.K

• Routing of the cargo as discussed before bilaterally.
• Please do not hesitate to contact your staff if you have any questions.

International Sea Freight

All containers shipped/booked will be monitored and schedules re-confirmed after the strike has ended. International Sea Freight offers a strike-time transport alternative by road via Sweden. Loading and unloading of the container is then arranged by Itella Logistics AB in Gothenburg.  This routing is quoted individually.

Unrelated to the Stevedores, The Transport Workers' Union (AKT) has approved a proposal by the State labour mediator in the truck drivers labour dispute. Local truck traffic is expected to return to normal today.

More information from your own operational contact person.

More information:

Director Ari Malvela, Road Freight tel. +358 9 2512 1500

Department Manager Klaus Pohjanpalo, Sea Import, tel.+358 9 2512 1431

Department Manager Elina Törmä, Sea Export tel. +358 9 2512 1461

Division Coordinator Christopher Sandberg, Air & Sea Freight tel. +358 9 2512 1571