A Dutch court has ordered Port of Rotterdam lashers to temporarily return to work for four days after an extended strike caused major port congestion and supply chain disruptions.

The strike, which began October 8 created significant backlogs. The court ruled that the strike had a disproportionate impact on supply chains and national interests, prompting the temporary back-to-work order until Friday, October 17, when workers may resume their strike if no agreement is reached.

Meanwhile, port delays are compounded by a Belgian pilot union slowdown tied to pension reform protests, leaving more than 130 vessels waiting at Antwerp and other Belgian ports and raising the risk of wider North European port congestion through late October.