Ver.di warning strikes halt container handling at German seaports

Day

28 (as of 2026-09-13 (13 September 2026))

Started

2026-08-17 (17 August 2026)

Severity

2 Moderate

Chokepoints

None

Ports

Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Wilhelmshaven

Lanes

None

• Severity basis: Two warning strikes, 24 hours from the night shift of 2026-08-17 and 48 hours from the late shift of 2026-09-02, largely stopped container handling at Hamburg, a port-wide stoppage of 24 hours to 7 days.

Expected before the event

16.3 calls per day

Last 7 days

18.4

Last 28 days

16.0 (-2%)

Average since the start

16.5

This is a measured change in public data during the event window, compared with a baseline before it. It shows timing, not cause. We describe an event as causing a change only when an official source says so.

Expected before the event

12.8 calls per day

Last 7 days

12.0

Last 28 days

12.2 (-4%)

Average since the start

12.2

This is a measured change in public data during the event window, compared with a baseline before it. It shows timing, not cause. We describe an event as causing a change only when an official source says so.

Expected before the event

9.8 calls per day

Last 7 days

10.3

Last 28 days

9.2 (-6%)

Average since the start

9.3

This is a measured change in public data during the event window, compared with a baseline before it. It shows timing, not cause. We describe an event as causing a change only when an official source says so.

1. 2026-09-09After a fourth negotiating round, employers offer a 12-month agreement with a 3.4 percent retroactive increase, which ver.di puts to its members in a consultation running until 2026-09-14.
2. 2026-09-02A second, 48-hour warning strike starts with the late shift at Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Bremen, Wilhelmshaven, Emden and Brake after workers rejected an employer offer of 5.1 percent over 18 months.
3. 2026-08-18Operations at Hamburg's main container terminals are reported largely halted, and inland rail and truck services warn of delays and possible cancellations.
4. 2026-08-17Ver.di begins a 24-hour warning strike at six German seaports,, with night shifts at Hamburg, Bremerhaven and Wilhelmshaven stopping work.

Full record with sources, cause and measured effect. All ongoing disruptions.