[Logistics Alert] Italy’s Unannounced Strike + South Asia Port Aftershocks

Ongoing strikes in southern Italy and post-cyclone congestion across Sri Lanka and southern India are causing significant logistics delays, with ripple effects across transshipment networks and inland distribution.

1. Italy Port Strikes Expand: Naples and Salerno Hit by Trucking Disruptions

Current Situation:
Unannounced and escalating trucker strikes are disrupting operations at Naples and Salerno, two key Mediterranean ports. The action began on 1 December in Naples and escalated to Salerno on 3 December, according to operational advisories. Unlike earlier, scheduled labor actions, this wave of strikes stems from grassroots frustration over unresolved road congestion and poor inland connectivity.

What’s Affected:

Container gate-in/out delays across both ports
Feeder services on Europe-Asia routes facing unpredictable delays
LCL and time-sensitive cargo (especially perishable and automotive) most impacted
Trucking coordination disrupted beyond port zones due to cascading congestion

What to Watch:

December 9–24: Italy’s nationwide transport and logistics strike calendar includes:
Dec 9–11: National ferry stoppages
Dec 12: General strike (freight, ports, rail)
Dec 17: Aviation sector actions
Dec 22–24: National freight logistics strikes

Expect cumulative disruption across inland trucking, feeder reliability, and port-side availability throughout December. Rerouting via Genoa, Trieste, and North Europe may offer temporary relief — though congestion at Antwerp and Rotterdam remains high.

2. Post-Cyclone Congestion Persists at Colombo and South Indian Ports

Current Situation:
After Cyclone Ditwah forced temporary shutdowns at Colombo & Kattupalli shutdowns + partial disruptions at Chennai/Ennore, operations have resumed — but at reduced efficiency. As of early December:

Colombo Port:
- Vessel queues: 13+ ships, average 2-day wait
- Transshipment delays impacting Far East–Europe and Middle East–US lanes
Kattupalli & Chennai:
- Inland congestion, water damage to approach roads
- Minimum productivity (around 12–13 moves/hour)
- CFS staffing operating at ~65%, causing backlogs for LCL cargo

What’s Affected:

Transshipment-dependent shipments through Colombo (Asia-Europe routes)
Peak-season sailings and container bookings into December 3rd and 4th weeks
CFS handling and customs clearance for southern India import/export cargo

What to Watch:

Residual congestion at Colombo expected through mid-December
Container tracking and event-level visibility is essential as schedules shift and rerouting decisions emerge
Consider alternate routings via Singapore or JNPT/Kakinada, where capacity permits

TRADLINX Insight: Why Visibility Matters Now

December is peak-risk season. These layered disruptions show how port status alone doesn’t reveal the full risk — it’s the landside, CFS, and trucking bottlenecks that compound delays.

With TRADLINX’s multi-carrier visibility, logistics providers can:

Track container delays across Europe-Asia routes
Monitor dwell time spikes at Colombo and Naples
Share real-time status with customers via white-labeled portals
Detect rerouting patterns early to reduce detention fees

Key Takeaways for LSPs and Forwarders

Italy’s strikes are not isolated events — they’re part of a broader December logistics slowdown
Cyclone recovery in South Asia is slower than official reopening suggests — container-level tracking is critical
Plan around bottlenecks, not just port names: trucking, CFS, and gate access are the chokepoints

Monitor these developments daily, and stay agile — congestion in one hub often reroutes risk to another.

Further Reading