Towards a common trajectory of port labour systems in Europe? The case of the port of Antwerp

The purpose of this paper is to provide an analysis on the port labour system in Europe. The study aims at investigating the impact of the market players’ strategies along the maritime-logistics chain on port labour dynamics, stressing the role of the institutional constraints. The empirical findings gathered during the fieldwork in the port of Antwerp are presented and discussed. The paper shows how the strategic action of the main players along the maritime-logistics chain is modifying the port labour system analysed. The organizational model of labour in the port selected seems to be undermined by the institutional transition and the cutthroat competition along the entire logistics chain. The structure of the paper is as follows: After a critical appraisal of the literature review on port labour and the methodological approach used, in the second part the empirical findings are presented. The conclusions provide a summary and a reflection aimed at interpreting the ongoing, common changes of the port labour systems in Europe.