IMO threatens to blacklist Sokhna Port

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) threatened Tuesday to put Sokhna Port on its blacklist of unreliable ports as striking workers closed the port for the sixth consecutive day.

“We now fear international naval shipping lines will be forced to change their course based on orders by the IMO,” a source at the port said.

A group of naval offices’ agents have already transferred their work from Sokhna to Edibeia Port due to last week’s losses.

The strike started after eight workers were fired, which lead their 2700 colleagues to shout down the port in protest. On Tuesday negotiations were held between workers and Suez Governor Samir Aglan which resulted in an agreement sent to DP World in the United Arab Emirates, which runs the port.

The IMO is indirectly responsible for all international ports through agreements signed by respective countries that are bound to adhere to its instructions.

A popular committee to address workers’ grievances was formed on Wednesday, including Ahmed Mahmoud, secretary of the Freedom and Justice Party and Ahmed Abdel Raheem, member of the Shura Council.

Aglan sent a legal committee to obtain a memorandum of understanding with the striking workers.

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Article written by Hassan Ghoneima, courtesy of Daily News Egypt.