Global Maritime Workers in Lisbon: The Card Has Been Played on Automation.

When the horns sounded across container yards, many thought the fight was over. But in early November 2025, a battle line has been drawn - one that could ripple through freight chains, ports, and terminals across the world, even as far as Oceania.

The event

The International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) of the U.S., led by President Harold J. Daggett, has called for the creation of a global anti-automation alliance of maritime workers. The movement began at the “People Over Profit: Anti-Automation Conference” in Lisbon, jointly organised with the International Dockworkers’ Council (IDC).

Daggett’s message was clear: automation in ports isn’t just about technology — it’s about livelihoods. His call to action urged dockworkers, seafarers, and terminal engineers worldwide to unite against what he described as “job-killing automation.”

Why it matters for the supply chain

For those of us who live and breathe freight, several red flags are waving:

• Labour unrest and coordinated action. The ILA’s push for a unified global front could extend beyond wage disputes to collective resistance against automation projects. That introduces a new kind of risk - one rooted in ideology and job preservation.

• Ports as pressure points. If unions coordinate slowdowns or block automation upgrades, it could disrupt vessel schedules and throughput, impacting reliability, cost, and equipment availability.

• Australian connection. Automation is a live debate in ports like Brisbane, Sydney, and Fremantle. While local unions haven’t announced direct participation, global solidarity could inspire similar resistance here, affecting domestic reliability and labour costs.

• The shifting narrative. Daggett distinguishes between technology that supports workers and technology that replaces them. The conversation is no longer “automation versus tradition” - it’s about equitable innovation and the human cost of efficiency.

What to watch next

• The Lisbon summit is expected to issue a “Global Maritime Resolution”, outlining plans for coordinated union action against automation-driven job losses.

• Port and terminal operators planning major tech or remote-crane programs could face new scrutiny or delays.

• Investors and shippers should expect ripple effects in port performance, turnaround times, and freight costs - particularly during peak season.

• Australian and Asia-Pacific unions may follow developments closely and align messaging, especially if job security or bargaining power is seen to be at stake.

Implications for importers, exporters, and freight professionals

• Scenario planning. If port productivity stalls due to industrial action, anticipate delays. Build in contingencies - alternative routing, added inventory buffers, or pre-positioned stock.

• Cost modelling. A slowdown in automation could keep operational costs higher for longer, while rushed automation can raise safety and cyber-risk.

• Stakeholder awareness. Understand how your port or terminal operator is managing labour relations and automation commitments — it will directly affect your supply chain resilience.

• Narrative management. This issue sits at the intersection of politics, labour, and technology. Transparent communication with partners and customers about potential impacts will help maintain confidence and credibility.

What unfolded in Lisbon isn’t just a union gathering - it’s a global signal. Maritime labour is organising before automation becomes irreversible. For shippers, freight forwarders, and supply-chain leaders, this movement could redefine what “modern port efficiency” really means.

As Harold J. Daggett put it: “Technology should serve humanity - not replace it.”

Sources: ILA Union