JOC Staff | Feb 06, 2013 2:20PM EST
Egypt’s Sokhna Port has been hit by yet another labor dispute, disrupting operations and forcing ocean carriers to skip calls at Ain al-Sokhna Terminal, operated by DP World, according to reports from that country.
Reports said nearly 1,200 temporary workers employed by a previous subcontractor at the port began their industrial action Feb. 3, alleging the Dubai-based company had reneged on an agreement to hire them at the terminal.
“We demand that the Ain Sokhna Port come back under the management of the Red Sea Port Authority. That will resolve all labor problems,” union leaders said.
“No quay or gate activities are taking place, as terminal management fears there could be clashes between previous and new contract workers,” APL said in a notice to customers. The carrier also said the vessel APL Seoul omitted the Sokhna call, and all cargo destined for that port would be discharged at Salalah, Oman.
The unions had already staged several stoppages over the same demands, including a two-week shutdown in October last year.
Sokhna, near the southern entrance of the Suez Canal, is Cairo’s main gateway for imports from the Far East.