core sector communique

Tug and pilot boats strike action commences in Argentina

Inchcape Shipping Services (ISS), the world’s leading maritime services provider, is warning of tug and pilot boats strike action in Argentina following a work to rule notification by the AB Union (SOMU).

The union first began the work to rule action at Bahia Blanca port on 31 July with no advised completion date. The strikes will mean that the tug and pilot boat service will only be available from Monday to Friday 0700 to 1100 hours, 1300 to 1700 hours, and on Saturday from 0700 to 1100 hours. No service will be available on Sundays or bank holidays.

It is anticipated that the work to rule action might be applied by the union at all ports in Argentina where tugs are compulsory, including Buenos Aires, Dock Sud, La Plata, Necochea and terminal del Guazu with pilot boats likely to also follow suit.

ISS Argentina will keep clients informed of any developments in the action and will advise them how to mitigate the impact to their normal operations.

Inchcape Shipping Services is the world's leading maritime services provider. With over 290 proprietary offices in 65 countries, and a workforce of over 3,700, the company’s diverse global customer base now includes owners and charterers in the oil, cruise, container and bulk commodity sectors as well as naval, government and inter-governmental organisations.

ISS provides landside commercial and humanitarian logistics, transit, offshore support, informational and other associated marine services. The company also provides a growing range of outsourcing services including global crew and marine spares logistics; port hub agency management; and sophisticated Enterprise Resource Planning solutions through its subsidiary ShipNet.