The Dockworkers Union of Piraeus called for a protest at the port, alleging that the truck was transporting around 20 tonnes of ammunition for Israeli forces. The union voiced concerns over the military actions in Gaza and Lebanon, stating that allowing the cargo to pass could put Piraeus and its residents at risk of becoming a target for retaliation.
“We urge workers, unions, and the community in Piraeus to join in preventing the transfer of weapons," the union stated. "We will not allow Piraeus to become a war base."
Dockworkers established a blockade at the container terminal on Thursday night, stopping the truck’s progress. By Friday, the truck and container remained under the protection of the port authorities, and an arrest warrant had been issued for a leader of the Dockworkers Union, according to Reuters.
Piraeus Container Terminal, a subsidiary of China Cosco, issued a statement explaining that it was required to handle the container under the terms of its port concession contract. The company noted that the blockade occurred on a public street outside the terminal.
This incident follows a series of protests against shipments of military equipment bound for Israel. One notable case involves the tween deck freighter Kathrin, which has been carrying eight containers of RDX explosives destined for Israel. The vessel, en route from Vietnam, has been refused access to ports in Namibia, Montenegro, and Malta due to protests by anti-war activists. As of Friday, the Kathrin was anchored off the coast of Malta.