Local news reports indicate that several major ports in Italy, including Livorno, Venice, Genoa, La Spezia, Ravenna, and Trieste, are experiencing severe disruptions due to a 24-hour strike by dockworkers. The strike is primarily in protest against the transportation of military supplies and the increasing militarization of port facilities.

The grassroots labor union alliance in Italy, USB, initiated the labor action out of concerns that military equipment shipments to Israel may be happening during the tense situation in Gaza. As a result, many ships are facing delays at sea.

The strike has led to multiple container ships, represented by Zim and the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), either anchoring off the coast or altering their routes. For instance, the "Zim Virginia" vessel could not dock at the Dalsetta Tuscany Terminal in Livorno due to its cargo of weapons. Other vessels like the "Zim New Zealand" opted to stay at the port of Fos in France, while the "Zim Australia" remained anchored in Koper, Slovenia, instead of docking in Venice and Ravenna as planned.

The Italian Transport Workers Union (USB) reported that container and roll-on/roll-off operations at the port of Genoa have nearly come to a standstill, leading to congestion on surrounding roads and railways. In La Spezia, port operations have decreased by 78%.

This strike is part of a broader international movement against arms smuggling, port privatization, and militarization, and has garnered support from the General Confederation of Labor in Spain. Support actions have taken place in various locations such as Bilbao in Spain, Tangier-Med Port in Morocco, Mersin in Turkey, Marseille in France, and Hamburg in Germany.

This event marks an early manifestation of an international movement planning to unfold in 21 ports from the Mediterranean to Northern Europe. With support from worker groups across different continents, the movement is gradually gaining momentum.