An indefinite strike by bosuns and able seamen represented by the Icelandic Seamen’s Union began on three Eimskip vessels at 12:00 on May 25 after wage negotiations failed. The industrial action, which affects the vessels Brúarfoss, Dettifoss, and Selfoss, is expected by the company to disrupt its sailing schedules and services.
Although Eimskip reported that terminal operations and other activities are currently running normally, negotiations regarding the salary terms of the crew members remain ongoing with the involvement of the State Mediator.
The company stated that it had prepared for this scenario to minimise customer service disruptions, expressing regret that an agreement was not reached before the strike began.
This strike follows a separate agreement reached last week between the Confederation of Icelandic Enterprise, acting on behalf of Eimskip, and the Icelandic Seamen’s Union regarding harbour employees in Sundahöfn. The settlement resulted in the withdrawal of a harbour strike that was originally scheduled to commence on May 26.
Under this port agreement, a strike embargo will apply while a competency analysis is conducted, deferring collective wage negotiations until October 31, 2026.
The Education and Training Service Centre will classify port roles using the Icelandic Qualifications Framework to build an objective, competency-based pay structure, a process the negotiating parties expect to complete by October 25, 2026.
