In brief: CGT dockworkers at the Gulf of Fos, near Marseille, went on strike on October 16 from 06:00 to 13:00 local time, disrupting cargo handling and vessel loading and unloading at the Fos-sur-Mer terminals.
The stoppage affected cargo operations and associated transport flows at one of France’s largest port complexes for seven hours. Logistics providers reported the disruption as part of a wider pattern of industrial action at French ports this autumn: a separate action covering ports across France has been announced for October 30, and a broader nationwide multi-sector strike, which also involves rail unions, is set for November 5.
For shippers moving cargo through Marseille-Fos, the immediate effect is a backlog from the lost handling hours, with knock-on delays to vessel turnaround and inland collection. Given the further action scheduled for October 30 and November 5, importers and exporters with time-sensitive cargo through French ports should build in schedule buffers and confirm berthing and gate status with their carrier or terminal operator ahead of those dates.
Source: Kuehne+Nagel, October 16, 2026.