The German trade union Ver.di has announced a three-day strike that will disrupt shipping traffic through the Kiel Canal.
The industrial action is set to begin at 21:00 on Monday, 10 March, and continue until 22:00 on Thursday, 13 March.
Once the strike commences, inbound traffic to the canal will be halted, with only outbound vessels permitted to proceed. Once the waterway is cleared, the locks at Kiel and Brunsbüttel will be closed for safety reasons and will remain shut until the strike ends.
The Kiel Canal, also known as the Nord-Ostsee-Kanal, is a critical maritime corridor linking the North Sea and the Baltic Sea. The strike is expected to cause significant disruption to shipping operations, affecting trade and logistics across the region. Following the canal’s reopening, major delays are anticipated for both westbound and eastbound traffic, though the extent of congestion will depend on the number of vessels awaiting transit.
The strike is a part of broader industrial action by Ver.di, which is demanding improved working conditions and fair wages for maritime workers. The union has been engaged in ongoing disputes with canal authorities over employment terms, underlining the essential role of maritime personnel in global supply chains.