More than 1,900 workers at Felixstowe represented by the Unite union plan eight days of strikes from Aug. 21 in a dispute over pay.

"The company is disappointed that Unite has not taken up our offer to call off the strike and come to the table for constructive discussions to find a resolution," said a spokesperson for Hutchison Ports, which operates Felixstowe.

"We recognise these are difficult times but, in a slowing economy, we believe that the company's offer ... is fair. The port regrets the impact this action will have on UK supply chains."

(Reporting by Kylie MacLellan, editing by Elizabeth Piper)