EMEA News
Piraeus Strike to Hit Bunkering
Bunkering at the port of Piraeus Wednesday is set to be hit by a 48-hour strike by the Panhellenic Seamen's Union (PNO).
Local players say the action by tug boat operators it likely to cause tightness and loading delays for the rest of the week.
"Tug boats won't be operating and as such the barges won't be able to load," one local local source was quoted as saying.
In response to the imminent action, Ship & Bunker yesterday reported that price indications for key grade IFO380 had at one point jumped as much as $10.50 per metric tonne (pmt) in the Greek port, but Monday's market was ultimately down just $0.50 pmt having been flat now for almost a week - likely a reflection of the fact that the strike was announced last week giving local suppliers opportunity to reschedule their loadings.
With prices elsewhere in the region ebbing down on the back of falling crude, there is however the possibility that the strike will prop up Piraeus prices until next week.
Such a strike is not an unusual event for the port in recent times.
In November 2015 Ship & Bunker reported a similar impact on loading delays from a 48-hour strike at the port.
