Dock workers and union activists around the world have acted in solidarity with 500 dock workers from Liverpool who have been on strike since 1995.

Dockers as far apart as San Francisco, Vancouver and Yokohama have made a misery of the journey of the Neptune Jade because of the ship's controversial cargo.

It was carrying cargo loaded by dock workers who refused to respect union picket lines at Thamesport, in Liverpool.

The ship's misfortunes began on September 28 when the Neptune Jade docked at Oakland, San Francisco.

The cargo could not be unloaded because a picket line had been drawn at the port by local longshoremen supporting the International Committee for Victory to the Liverpool Dockers.

Their actions cost the unloading company Centennial Stevedoring, the port operator Yusen Terminals, and the Pacific Maritime Association tens of thousands of dollars.

In the end the ship was forced to leave the harbour and take to the seas.

But the saga of the Neptune Jade was not yet over.

It cruised up the west coast of the US, arriving in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, on October 4, hoping to find more hospitable shores.

Once again, the ship's agent was informed that the cargo could not be unloaded as another picket line, by Vancouver dockers, was in place.

Finally, the Neptune Jade set sail, still laden with its cargo for Japan. But dock workers in the ports of Yokohama and Kobe refused to work the struck containers.

The Neptune Jade was finally sold in Taiwan, with its controversial cargo, believed to be fruit, still on deck.

The new owners are busy changing the vessel's name to MSC Brianna.

The Liverpool dockers went on strike to protest against falling wages. They were sacked by Mersey Docks and Harbour Company, the Merseyside port authorities, and replaced.

The strikers have been fighting to get their jobs back for two years and their case has attracted support from dock workers around the world.

Back to top | BBC News Home | BBC Homepage	©