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![image: [ Calais was quiet as the dockers stopped work ]](/olmedia/65000/images/_68053_calaisempty300.jpg)
Ferry sailings from Dover to Calais, which were suspended on Friday, began at 0300 GMT, the Dover Harbour Board said.
"Ferry services are back to normal and we anticipate no problems today," said a spokesman.
The strike was held to protest against European Union proposals to halt duty-free shopping in July 1999.
The Freight Transport Association said the action cost British freight firms £500,000.
As ferries were diverted to Belgium, thousands of passengers also faced long delays. It was the fourth time in 18 months that British lorry drivers were stopped by industrial action in France.
The strike was timed to cause maximum disruption: Fridays are a busy day for ferries with lorries returning to Britain at the end of the week.
Cutbacks feared
Ship and dock workers say the European Union's decision to abolish duty-free shopping will lead to cutbacks in the ferry industry.
Onboard tax-free shopping accounts for about 30% of ferry company turnover.
They say the demise of duty-free will inevitably lead to higher prices for sea crossings, which would in turn affect hypermarkets in Calais that are dependent on British shoppers taking advantage of cheap food and wine.
Roger Lopez, secretary of the CGT seamen's union in Calais, said the EU move would "spell the end of tens of thousands of jobs in France".
"Sea-France would probably go out of business since half its turnover comes from duty-free. No more duty-free means higher passage prices and less traffic," he added.
The decision to end duty-free goods was made because it is considered to be inconsistent with the principles of the single European market.
But unions argue that only finance ministers and the European Commission support the ban, not the people.
Seamen are also protesting against new EU regulations allowing cross-border movement, a move which the French believe may incite employers to replace them with cheaper southern European crews.
French dockers' strike hits Channel crossings
(20 Mar 98 | World)
Ministers demand duty-free review
(17 Mar 98 | World)
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