Buenos Aires, Aug 24 (EFE) Container shipments are paralysed in the port of Buenos Aires due to a union conflict that is causing huge losses, the Argentine press reported.

The labour dispute pits the SUPA union, which represents the longshoremen, against the crane operators union, which has been paralysing the cargo terminals of the Argentine capital since last Friday, industry representatives said.

The labour ministry ordered mandatory mediation, but the longshoremen did not comply with that directive and decided to stage a full strike which caused operating difficulties for at least 17 vessels that were supposed to offload their cargo in Montevideo.

Industry representatives told the La Nacion newspaper that the conflict has resulted so far in at least $1.25 million in operating losses.