- French ports face a 95pc shutdown on 29 October 2026.
- The action is part of a 24-hour nationwide walkout by dockers.
- Le Havre, Marseille-Fos, Dunkirk and Calais affected.
- The strike formed part of a global mobilisation involving 113 ports across 22 countries.
- Further strike action is planned for 5 November 2026.
French port operations face a 95pc shutdown as part of a 24-hour nationwide walkout by dockers and port workers. The industrial action spearheaded by France’s CGT National Federation of Ports and Docks threatens to bring commercial gateways including Le Havre, Marseille-Fos, Dunkirk and Calais to a near-total standstill. The strike forms part of a broader global mobilisation involving 113 ports across 22 countries.
The walkout affects approximately 24 French ports halting container operations, mineral terminals and car shipping lines. Beyond protesting the transport of military cargo through civilian ports the CGT demonstrated against government budget guidelines, job automation threats and European Commission port regulations. The strike is causing localised delays and cancellations for cross-channel and Mediterranean passenger ferry services.
Logistics operators expected a three to five day knock-on delay for transshipments and gate handling at major French maritime hubs. Passengers travelling between France and England or using domestic French ferries were advised to check with their operator before heading to the terminal. Port sectors braced for further disruption with unions calling a follow-up nationwide day of strike action on 5 November 2026.
