Spanish dock workers have called nine days of strikes to protest government plans to allow ports to hire non-unionised labour threatening to disrupt trade for up to three weeks from March 6.

Dockers last week called off a planned three-day strike after the government said it would put its reforms on hold and open talks, but the decision to push ahead with a bigger strike came after the government signalled it would not change parts of the plan.

The nine days of stoppages across dozens of Spanish ports would take place on alternate days, meaning disruptions could drag on for three weeks between March 6 and March 24.

Negotiations between the unions and the government were set to continue.

Delmar is in discussions with our Spanish partners to establish a contingency plan should the strike take place.

Delmar will continue to monitor the situation and handle ocean freight cargo movements as events allow, however should work disruptions take place delays can be expected.