The employers' association and the labor union within the forest industry have now come to agreement and the strike in Finland has ended.
This means that transports to and from Finland are back to normal.
4-10-24
A temporary agreement has been reached between ILA and USMX, which means that the dockworkers will resume work immediately. The agreement includes a 62% salary increase over the next six years, but there are still other contractual terms that need to be negotiated. The strike is therefore temporarily postponed until January 15, 2025, and negotiations will continue until then. FREJA will continuously monitor how the negotiations between ILA and USMX develop, so we can best prepare our customers with alternative solutions in case of a new strike in January. Contact your representative at FREJA if you need assistance and advice on your shipping options to/from the USA.
2-10-24
Several carriers have declared force majeure and are adding port congestion surcharges. Affected customers will be contacted directly. We are continuously working to find the best solutions.
1-10-24
On October 1, approximately 45,000 dockworkers in up to 36 cities on the U.S. East Coast initiated a widespread strike. The strike is happening because the dockworkers' union, the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA), and the employer association, United States Maritime Alliance, Ltd. (USMX), couldn't agree on a new contract.
The ports are now closed, and with each passing day, the effects of the strike will intensify. We can expect ship congestion in the ports, leading to significant delays. The extent of the strike's consequences largely depends on its duration, but it is still too early to predict specific outcomes.
Some carriers have already announced price increases, and we anticipate air freight prices to rise as well due to increased demand. We encourage our customers to plan their shipments well in advance and consider alternative shipping options. At FREJA, we are working hard to find alternative solutions and routes, such as via the U.S. West Coast or Canada, to minimize the impact on our customers and ensure continuity in the supply chain.
Please reach out to your local contact person at FREJA if you have any questions or need assistance with your shipments to/from the USA.
We are closely monitoring the situation and will keep you updated.
David Nielsen
Head of Business Development Air & Ocean
+45 5234 5457
dni@freja.com
How can we help you?
12.06.25
The Swedish Dockworkers’ Union has announced further strike notices at Swedish ports if no new agreement is reached. A new mediation session is scheduled for June 12.
The following announced actions apply specifically to the Gothenburg RoRo terminal:
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Strike on June 19: from 10:45 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
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Strike on June 22: from 12:00 a.m. until 12:00 a.m. on June 24.
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Overtime and extra time blockade: from 12:00 a.m. on June 20 until 12:00 a.m. on June 24.
More information about the strike and the additional affected ports can be found via Transportföretagen (in Swedish).
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27.05.25
The conflict between the Swedish Dockworkers' Union and the Ports of Sweden is not yet over. The strike continues across the country until a new agreement is signed.
The measures announced below are specific to the Gothenburg RoRo port: From today until Sunday, June 1, there is a temporary pause in the strike between the Swedish Dockworkers' Union and the Ports of Sweden in the Gothenburg port. This means that we can expect somewhat normal operations until Sunday at 4:00 PM when the Dockworkers' Union has announced a new strike until June 3 at 11:00 PM.
However, we want to make you aware that Ascension Day falls on Thursday, May 29, with limited port operations.
We thank you for your patience and understanding during these times.
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21.05.2025
Strike called off for certain dock workers.
An agreement was signed between Sveriges Hamnar and the Transport union on Tuesday evening. However, the strike notice from the Dockworkers’ Union remains in effect.
We have some cancelled departures for the remainder of the week. Please contact your FREJA representative for information specific to your shipments.
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We want to inform our customers about a strike notice for Swedish ports that may affect our traffic. The strike is planned to start on May 21 and may impact transport to and from Germany, the UK, Ireland, and via Ghent to the Benelux, France, Spain, and Portugal.
The Swedish Transport Workers' Union and the Swedish Dockworkers' Union have submitted a strike notice. The Dockworkers' Union plans a full strike on May 21 from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM and a longer strike from May 22 to May 26. The Transport Workers' Union has announced a blockade from May 21 and possible actions in various ports from May 30 to June 15.
These actions may affect import and export flows, particularly via the Gothenburg RoRo port. In the event of a strike, we can expect delays and/or need to reroute our paths, which may lead to additional costs.
We thank you for your understanding and will keep you updated on the situation here on our website.
Please contact your usual FREJA contact for questions and inquiries.
David Nielsen
Head of Business Development Air & Ocean
+45 5234 5457
dni@freja.com
Strict collective bargaining is underway in key sectors for Finnish exports and imports.
- We are closely monitoring the situation and doing our best to anticipate the impact on international transport. By law, industrial action must be announced at least two weeks before it starts. For our customers, the emphasis is now on being on the road early, so it pays to place transport orders well in advance," says Matti Urmas, Managing Director of FREJA Transport & Logistics Oy.
The stevedoring sector is already subject to an overtime ban issued by the Transport Workers' Federation (AKT), which came into force on 1 February.
- The main impact of the overtime ban is on weekends, so there are no major delays in transport in the foreseeable future. For up-to-date information on the status of your shipment, please contact your contact person. Of course, it would be desirable for all sectors to reach an agreement without industrial action.
Your FREJA contact will tell you the status of your shipment
Finnlines announced on Monday 30 January that if the overtime ban comes into force and no agreement is reached, work in ports will be suspended between 15.30 on Saturday and 06.45 on Monday. The Sunday departure from Helsinki to Travemünde at 15.00 and the Monday departure from Travemünde to Helsinki at 2.00 will be cancelled. According to Finnlines, there will be other changes to the timetable. These changes will cause congestion in the port, and you should be prepared for delays in unloading and loading times.
AKT strikes will start on Wednesday 15 February if no agreement is reached
On Tuesday 31 January, the AKT has issued a strike warning to the stevedoring sector, in addition to the current overtime ban.
Below are the strike timetables if the strikes go ahead.
According to the AKT, a total of around 9 000 workers will be affected.
AKT strike timetables
- Strike in the stevedoring sector from 15 February at 06.00 until further notice: If the strike starts, it will cover all port operations, including unloading, loading, reception and release of units.
- Trucking strike 15.2. from 00.00 to 21.2. from 24.00
- Tanker and oil products strike 15.2. 00.00-21.2. 24.00
- Terminal sector strike 15.2. 06.00-22.2. 06.00
Page on the state of the negotiations maintained by the AKT.
Finnlines will not transport trucks without a driver during the strike
Finnlines announced on Monday that units without drivers will not be loaded at all in the event of a strike. The HansaLink line between Helsinki and Travemünde will operate as scheduled, but will only transport trucks with a driver.
If no agreement can be reached during Monday, Finnlines will not load trailers or other units without a driver, starting with the departure from Travemünde to Helsinki at 2.45 am on 14 February. Departure from Helsinki to Travemünde on 14 February at 16.15 will be loaded as normal. If a strike starts, only units with a driver will be loaded.
The Naantali-Kapellskär line (FinnLink) will operate as scheduled, but units without a driver will not be loaded.
Strike situation in other sectors
The PAM Service sector union has called off all industrial action after reaching an agreement on working conditions.
The Technology Industry and the Trade Union Pro reached an agreement on working conditions and the strike was suspended.
The Employees' Federation ERTO and the Trade Union Confederation Pro also reached an agreement on working conditions before the strike in the financial management sector started.
The website of the Office of the National Mediator provides comprehensive information on the bargaining situation in the various sectors, provided that the National Mediator is involved.
News updated 13.2. throughout at 15.15.
News updated throughout 1.2.2023 at 15.05.
News updated for the start date of the PAM warehouse strike on 3.2.2023 at 9.30 am.
The situation in the sea freight market is extraordinary these days. Due to the Covid-19 situation, purchase and consumption of goods have grown significantly, which causes a great demand for transportation throughout the world.
The given situation and the effects after the container ship, EVER GIVEN, blocked the Suez Canal for six days, hasn’t eased the situation. The ship blocked about 360 other ships going through the Suez Canal. The full extent of this is still uncertain. However, there is no doubt that this will cause further delays, and impact the situation in all main ports in Europe, since ships will arrive at the same time after queuing in the Suez Canal, hence challenges with the handling is to be expected.
There are already delays from before. We experience a lack of equipment, the normal flow for containers has been put out of play, and tight resources mean that ships are waiting for more than a week outside ports to be loaded and unloaded. This happens even though all ships that can sail have been taken into use.
Due to less productivity and rotation, the industry suffers cancellation and blank sailings, and an increase in the imbalance issues. We therefore expect a continued challenging situation for both imports and exports to/from Northern Europe.
We aim to do our utmost for you as our partner to solve the challenges in the best possible way. We will be in close contact with you and keep you updated regarding the development and possibilities. Even though we face a difficult situation, and costs will remain high, we fight for getting space on the vessels, and to help you move your goods.
Don’t hesitate to contact us and ask how we can help each other.
Despite all challenges, we will do everything we can to find solutions for your needs!
Please contact us for more information.
The employers’ organization and workers’ union within the forest and paper industry have still not reached an agreement. The strike started January 27 at 06:00 and has been notified to continue until Monday February 17 – unless the negotiating parties will reach an agreement sooner.
The transport volume out of Finland has been reduced considerably because of the strike and therefore affects the transport balance between Denmark and Finland and vice versa.
In case the strike is still going on Thursday January 30, FREJA will be compelled to introduce a temporary positioning fee at 22 % of the total transport costs on all consignments from Denmark to Finland. We regret these circumstances which are out of FREJA’s control. SLIXY
Should the strike escalate or ease off before the announced date, FREJA will give more information.
For further information about the strike or how it will affect you as a customer in FREJA, we kindly ask you to get in contact with your daily contact person.
A settlement was reached in the stevedoring strike of the Federation of Transport Workers (AKT) on on the evening of 1 March. The agreement reached will end all industrial action immediately and work will resume as soon as possible. However, at the latest, the stevedores must return to their normal shift starting on 4 March.
The strike started on 15 February.
– Although transport can now be carried out and stevedoring will return to normal when the stevedores return to work, it will unfortunately take time for the situation to return to normal. Supply chains are now in disarray due to the strike. It will take time to reorganise and find the best possible routing, says Matti Urmas, Managing Director of FREJA Finland.
Goods are in the ports waiting to be shipped and it takes time to ship the cargo.
– If there are uncertainties about your shipment, your own dedicated contact person is happy to help and tell the status of your transport.
The Health Agency of Oslo Municipality has entered into an agreement with FREJA Transport & Logistics AS for the distribution of CoVID-19 vaccines to districts, GP offices, clinics, and pharmacies all around the city.
The Health Agency has been assigned the overall operational responsibility for handling CoVID-19 on behalf of Oslo Municipality. This includes the establishment of test centers, infection detection, and vaccination, as well as all associated procedures.
Focus on high quality
The assignment involves the distribution of urgent deliveries with vaccines that must be dispensed immediately after delivery. This requires quality and punctuality in all areas, both professionally and in terms of material equipment. FREJA's personnel have formal competence to carry out the assignment. The pharmacists at FREJA and Oslo Municipality work closely together to ensure that all the requirements are met. For Oslo Municipality, it has been crucial with a partner who has a full focus on product safety and quality when collecting, transporting, and delivering the vaccines and who could start immediately. FREJA's flexibility and ability to deliver on time meant that Oslo Municipality could make a quick decision.
FREJA will deliver the vaccines with approved distribution vehicles with two GDP-trained drivers in each vehicle to ensure that the vaccines arrive at the vaccination sites at the agreed time. Our teams will follow up on the weekly bookings with detailed route plans, strict control upon delivery, and daily reporting of different parameters such as transport temperature.
Understanding of the Health Agency's needs
According to Geir A Gundersen, head of Infrastructure, Operations and Logistics at TISK + V in the Health Agency, there are many good reasons to choose FREJA Transport & Logistics AS. «FREJA shows a high focus on quality, and they understand how the professional and material capabilities should be used to solve the Health Agency’s needs for this task. FREJA knows how safety and the handling of the task should be done to minimize deviations, and they are well prepared to handle any unforeseen situations that may arise. We look forward to working with FREJA. "
"We are very proud of the trust they have in FREJA and to contribute to a task that is so important to society. This assignment fits in very well with the other investments we are making in the pharmaceutical area for our many Pharma customers in Norway," says Kjell-Arne Eloranta, Managing Director of FREJA Transport & Logistics AS.
FREJA CHINA has finished the loading of 8 sets of transformers with a weight of 70 tons per set and a total of 2000 cubic meters.
The cargo was gathered by coaster from two different locations in China for further loading onto an ocean vessel in Shanghai. All went smoothly for the loading in Shanghai on the first day of 2017!
The journey to South America has started and in Uruguay the cargo will be reloaded onto another coaster going to the final destination in Paraguay.
