Businesses shipping goods through French ports could face further disruption this week, with two additional days of industrial action planned for Thursday 5 and Friday 6 November 2026.
The planned strikes follow the coordinated international port action on Friday 30 October, which disrupted cargo operations at several major French ports.
With further stoppages now scheduled, businesses importing and exporting goods through France are being advised to prepare for possible delays to vessel movements, container handling and onward transport.
What Industrial Action Is Planned?
Two separate 24-hour strikes have been announced, involving different groups of port and maritime workers.
Thursday 5 November – Nationwide Port Workers’ Strike
The Fédération Nationale des Ports et Docks CGT (FNPD-CGT) has called for a 24-hour strike across French ports as part of a wider national mobilisation over wages, employment, public services and working conditions.
The action could affect cargo handling, terminal operations and the loading and unloading of vessels.
Friday 6 November – Port Tugboat Workers’ Strike
The Fédération des Officiers de la Marine Marchande (FOMM-CGT) and Fédération Nationale des Syndicats Maritimes (FNSM-CGT) have called for a separate 24-hour strike involving port tugboat crews across mainland France and its overseas territories.
The unions have raised concerns about the future of French-flagged tugboat operations and European regulatory developments.
Tugboats play an important role in helping large commercial vessels safely enter, leave and manoeuvre within ports. A shortage of available tugboat crews could therefore delay vessel arrivals and departures, even where cargo terminals remain operational.
Which French Ports Could Be Affected?
The nationwide strike calls could affect several of France’s major commercial ports, including:
- Marseille-Fos
- Dunkirk
- Rouen
- Bordeaux
- Nantes–Saint-Nazaire
However, the extent of disruption will depend on participation at each location, and not every port or terminal will necessarily experience a complete shutdown.
Businesses with shipments moving through these ports should check the latest operational arrangements with their shipping lines and freight providers.
What Does This Mean for UK Importers and Exporters?
France is an important trading partner for the UK, with its ports providing connections for containerised cargo, European road freight and international shipping services.
Further industrial action could cause delays to:
- Vessel arrivals, departures and scheduled port calls.
- Container loading, unloading and terminal handling.
- Container collections and deliveries.
- Road and rail movements connecting with affected terminals.
- Transhipment connections and onward shipping schedules.
With two consecutive days of industrial action planned, some ports could also face a build-up of cargo waiting to be handled.
Even after normal operations resume, it may take additional time for terminals and shipping lines to clear any backlogs and return to their usual schedules.
The strikes do not automatically mean that all UK–France freight services will stop, and disruption will vary depending on the ports, terminals and transport services involved.
What Should Businesses Do?
If you have shipments moving through French ports on or around 5–6 November, it is worth reviewing your transport arrangements and allowing some flexibility in your delivery schedules.
Businesses should check with their freight providers for any changes to vessel schedules, terminal availability or collection arrangements.
Where possible, time-sensitive shipments may benefit from alternative arrangements, although availability will depend on the route and service required.
The full impact of the planned strikes is not yet known, and further updates are expected as individual ports confirm their operational plans.
How Can Beckchoice Help?
Our team continues to monitor developments affecting freight movements between the UK and Europe, including industrial action at major ports.
With our UK–EU road freight, sea freight and in-house customs clearance services, we can help businesses review their shipping requirements and explore suitable transport options where disruption occurs.
Concerned about an upcoming shipment?
Get in touch with our team to discuss your freight requirements and how we can help keep your goods moving.