September strikes to hit Sardinia's ferry lifeline

Travellers to and from Sardinia should brace for disruption in September, as Italy faces a wave of transport strikes that will affect planes, trains and ferries, according to The Local Italy's guide to the upcoming walkouts. The schedule includes a nationwide train strike and a general strike that will hit multiple modes of transport.

For Sardinia, the ferry connections that link the island to the mainland are the most critical piece of this puzzle. Unlike rail or air travel, which have alternatives, the sea routes from Cagliari, Olbia and Porto Torres are the only way to move vehicles and heavy goods between the island and the continent.

A general strike that halts ferry services would not only disrupt holidaymakers returning from the August break but also threaten the supply chains that keep the island's shops, hospitals and businesses stocked. The timing, at the end of the peak summer season, adds to the strain.