24 September 2026
Executive Summary
Businesses moving goods through Italy have only days remaining to prepare for a 24-hour nationwide strike across the country’s port sector scheduled for Monday 28 September.
The industrial action remains listed by Italy’s Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport and is national in scope.
It covers port-sector businesses, Port System Authorities and companies applying Italy’s national ports collective agreement.
The strike has been called by USB Mare e Porti, with SI Cobas joining the action.
At the time of publication, the strike remains scheduled.
Actual disruption will depend upon participation at individual ports and terminals, and essential services may continue.
However, its nationwide scope means businesses should not assume cargo can simply be redirected from one Italian port to another.
Potentially affected operations include:
- Container handling.
- Cargo loading and unloading.
- Terminal operations.
- Port administration.
- Vessel turnaround.
- Gate movements.
- Intermodal connections.
This is a known future disruption rather than an unexpected event, giving businesses several days in which to reduce their exposure.
UK Impact
UK businesses may be exposed through imports and exports involving:
- Automotive components.
- Machinery.
- Pharmaceuticals.
- Food and beverages.
- Fashion and textiles.
- Chemicals.
- Industrial equipment.
- Consumer goods.
Cargo does not necessarily need to originate in Italy to be affected.
Italian ports are important gateways connecting European supply chains with Asia, North Africa and the wider Mediterranean.
Global Impact
Major Italian ports include:
- Genoa.
- Trieste.
- La Spezia.
- Livorno.
- Venice.
- Gioia Tauro.
- Naples.
- Ravenna.
Potential disruption may extend beyond the 24-hour strike itself.
If containers accumulate or vessels miss berthing windows, consequences can include:
- Vessel delays.
- Missed feeder connections.
- Container congestion.
- Truck queues.
- Rail disruption.
- Storage charges.
- Demurrage.
- Detention.
Carriers could also alter port rotations, potentially transferring congestion to alternative European ports.
Our View
Businesses should act before Monday rather than waiting to establish how disruptive the strike becomes.
They should ask:
- Is cargo scheduled through an Italian port on 28 September?
- Which terminal is involved?
- Is that terminal expected to participate?
- What is the vessel’s current ETA?
- Can imports be collected before Monday?
- Can exports be delivered earlier?
- Can cargo enter the terminal early?
- Are trucking slots available?
- Are rail connections affected?
- Could cargo use another European port?
- Would changing port genuinely reduce delay?
- Could a vessel omit an Italian call?
- What happens to containers already inside the terminal?
- Could demurrage or detention arise?
- Who contractually bears those charges?
- What contingency has the freight forwarder arranged?
Businesses should avoid simply moving additional containers towards ports without first confirming terminal arrangements, because excessive pre-positioning can itself increase congestion.
The most important feature of this risk is simple:
The date is known.
Businesses therefore have an opportunity to alter collection, loading, routing and inventory arrangements before the disruption begins.
Risk Indicator: HIGH – ITALY, PORT STRIKE & EUROPEAN LOGISTICS
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The information contained within these Market Alerts is provided for general market awareness and informational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, legal, investment, regulatory or insurance advice. Whilst every effort has been made to ensure accuracy at the time of publication using multiple reputable and independently verified sources, geopolitical events, legislation, regulation and market conditions may change rapidly. Readers should obtain appropriate professional advice before acting upon any information contained herein.
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