Industrial action onboard Eimskip vessels has been postponed until February 15 after the Icelandic shipping line came to a “collective agreement” with senior officers over salary increases.
About 100 masters and engineer officers had threatened to stop work from 00:00hrs this morning, which would have halted cargo discharge from five Eimskip ships and two Samskip ships, according to Icelandic press reports.
The country is heavily dependent on imports, particularly for fresh food and vegetables, leading to fears that the officers’ strike could cause a food shortage in Iceland.
The seafarers have reportedly been without contracts since last summer, and will vote on the new salary agreement before strikes are due to resume on February 15.
