The general strike called for this Wednesday, November 11, has halted container loading and unloading operations at several of Spain’s main ports, particularly Algeciras, Valencia and Barcelona. The trade unions CCOO and UGT have put participation in the stoppages in the port sector at around 90%, while disruptions to land access and rail cancellations have affected the operation of various logistics facilities across the country.
The Port of Algeciras has reported the suspension of activity at its two container terminals, APM Terminals Algeciras and Total Terminal International Algeciras (TTI Algeciras). The stoppages began at 2:00 a.m. this Wednesday and are scheduled to end at the same time on Thursday, November 12, completing a 24-hour day without regular cargo-handling operations.
According to figures provided by CCOO regional secretary Manuel Triano, participation in the strike among Algeciras dockworkers has reached 100%. The operating companies have also not called in staff for regular loading and unloading operations, anticipating that the equipment required to carry out the work would not be available.
The strike has also affected land access to the port complex, where picket demonstrations took place in the early morning hours. Minimum services have been maintained at the passenger terminal to ensure maritime connections between Algeciras and Ceuta, with six vessels scheduled to serve these routes.
This situation has been compounded by the arrival of Storm Charles, which has required the Port of Algeciras to keep its Self-Protection Plan in effect due to adverse weather conditions.
At the Port of Valencia, the strike has interrupted regular vessel loading and unloading operations, while dangerous and perishable goods continue to be handled in accordance with minimum-service requirements. Union representatives have reported majority participation among port workers. The Port Authority of Valencia has announced that the container terminals will open earlier, at 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 12, to facilitate the receipt and delivery of goods by road. It has also recommended that light vehicles use the north entrance in anticipation of a possible buildup of trucks on Thursday and Friday.
The Port of Barcelona has suspended cargo-handling operations requiring the involvement of dockworkers, as well as customs inspections at terminals associated with this work. The Port Authority had previously announced that essential services would be maintained, including pilotage, towing, mooring, passenger services, waste removal and vessel refueling. Temporary disruptions to land access were reported during the morning, but traffic subsequently resumed.
Port activity has also been affected in the north of the Iberian Peninsula. UGT’s Federation of Services, Mobility and Consumption has reported 100% participation at ports in the Basque Country and at the Port of A Coruña, according to provisional figures collected during the morning. The union said that the impact of the stoppages has varied across Spain’s different port facilities.
The Port of Tarragona has experienced one of the most significant disruptions to land access. The general strike coinciding with stoppages in the metal industry has affected freight traffic, particularly because of blockades on the A-27 and at the entrances to the Reus and Llevant quays. According to the Port Authority, between 12:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., total vehicle traffic fell by 88.86% compared with the same period in 2025.
During those fourteen hours, only 40 trucks entered the port complex, compared with 1,586 a year earlier, a decrease of 97.47%. The number of heavy vehicles leaving fell from 1,417 to nine, a drop of 99.36%. Access points began reopening gradually from 1:30 p.m., while rail services scheduled for the morning were left to be rescheduled. The Port Authority has confirmed that the established minimum services were maintained.
Freight rail transport has also seen cancellations and operational disruptions. Renfe Mercancías has reported the cancellation of 25 of the 38 trains scheduled during the night shift, through 7:00 a.m. this Wednesday. The company had set minimum services equivalent to 26% of the freight services scheduled for the day.
Meanwhile, the Spanish Train Drivers’ Union (Semaf) has moved the strike day it had initially called for Thursday, November 12, to November 23. The organization made this decision after the Council of Ministers approved a royal decree-law on rail operational safety and social protection for industry professionals. The union is maintaining another strike call for November 17.
The situation has been different in road freight transport, where the main business organizations have reported low participation in the strike. The International Road Transport Association (ASTIC) has said that 99% of drivers employed by its member companies have continued working, although access difficulties have been reported at certain industrial and logistics facilities, particularly in Catalonia and around the Port of Algeciras.
The Spanish Confederation of Freight Transport (CETM) has confirmed that most transport companies have operated as usual, with isolated disruptions at wholesale food markets, port facilities and industrial estates. According to the organization, these interruptions have not significantly affected the overall operation of road freight transport.
For its part, the National Federation of Transport Associations of Spain (Fenadismer) has reported nails and other sharp objects on certain roads during the strike. The organization says it has received reports from transport operators about these actions, which allegedly caused damage to heavy-vehicle tires. Fenadismer has asked the Ministry of the Interior and the State Security Forces and Corps to investigate the incidents and step up monitoring in the affected areas.
