Lorry drivers at Limassol port began an indefinite strike on Monday, citing “zero response” from the port’s management company Eurogate despite raising multiple concerns.

Last week’s meeting with Finance Minister Makis Keravnos and Labour Minister Yiannis Panayiotou left drivers dissatisfied.

Trade union Povek’s Kyriakos Moustakas highlighted four main issues: tachographs, container height limits, Eurogate’s charges for containers remaining in port, and the non-release of containers through no fault of the drivers.

Later in the day, Eurogate’s CEO Alexandros Dimitriades urged dialogue and presented a nine-point letter.

Dimitriades warned that the strike “poses enormous risks to the economic and supply chain of our island, but at the same time also affects the credibility of Cyprus.”

Regarding charges, Moustakas said Eurogate counts the ship’s arrival day as a full billing day even if docking occurs in the afternoon, increasing costs for drivers.

“We ask that the day of arrival not be counted, because by the time the procedures are completed and unloading begins, the day is lost,” Moustakas said.

He also criticised container non-release, explaining that lorries are “often blocked” at exit despite having all legal customs documents, due to unpaid debts tied to the shipowner or agent.

“The lorry driver is forced to pay charges which do not belong to him, wasting time and working days. This is unacceptable,” he said.

Although the union raised these problems with Eurogate, Moustakas said “there was no sensitivity” from the company, despite the union’s proposals requiring no extra cost and promising smoother operations.

Eurogate highlighted limited terminal space restricting free container storage beyond four days and rising capacity issues despite infrastructure investments, while defending the essential “release” process for container delivery.

It also rejected storing dangerous cargoes, citing compliance with transport laws, and stressed improved service times despite many of its proposed digital solutions being ignored so far.

Of the meeting with Keravnos and Panayiotou, Moustakas said workers “were not convinced that the solutions proposed would be implemented”.

“We hope that there will be second thoughts and that we will be invited to dialogue again,” he said.

The transport ministry expressed concern over the strike, noting ongoing consultations to amend laws on container lorry operations. Planned changes include raising permitted container load heights and regulating lateral protection for adjustable-length semi-trailers.

The ministry reaffirmed its commitment to “continuous dialogue and cooperation with all stakeholders in the sector, with the aim of promoting solutions which enhance the safety of road transport.”