Indian Port Trucker Strike Ends

A five-day-old trucker strike at India's Vallarpadam International Container Transshipment Terminal ended late Wednesday following talks between union leaders and terminal operator DP World.

The Trade Union Coordination Committee, representing all labor groups in the terminal, walked out on July 2, protesting the Dubai-based company’s decision to ban the entry of vehicle cleaners into the terminal and calling for improved working conditions.

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Union representatives said terminal management agreed to address the drivers’ longstanding grievances. “It was agreed between all stakeholders that cleaners would be allowed entry through the main terminal gate subject to production of mandatory permits,” they said.

Officials said striking drivers returned to work and all efforts were being made to evacuate inbound containers stranded in the terminal.

VICTT, which opened in February this year, is India’s first container transshipment terminal, offering an annual capacity of 1 million 20-foot equivalent units. Its throughput capacity is expected to go up to 4 million TEUs when fully ready.