Ports in Northern Europe are facing significant congestion with delays mounting at key gateways like Rotterdam, Antwerp, Hamburg, and Bremerhaven. As of mid-June, the situation remains severe, driven by a combination of labor strikes, rail service closures, carrier alliance shifts, and low inland water levels.

Rotterdam has been hit particularly hard, with barge delays exceeding two days and ongoing strikes at APM terminals. Low water levels on the Rhine River and rail construction projects are creating additional bottlenecks.

Ocean carriers are consequently rerouting vessels, omitting congested ports, and applying congestion surcharges. Terminals have intriduced emergency measures such as setting berth priorities and tighter export delivery windows.

The delays are expected to last through August, with ripple effects spreading across global supply chains already strained by rising tensions in the Middle East and the U.S.-China trade standoff.

Source: Port Technology