Port congestion across Europe continues to worsen, with ports like Bremerhaven facing severe labor shortages and few alternatives for shippers. According to one forwarder, average delays are five to six days, depending on the destination. Reduced rainfall is disrupting barge traffic on the Rhine River, adding to congestion at Antwerp and Rotterdam.

Maersk flagged a sharp drop in available labor during recent holidays, including Easter and Ascension Day in Bremerhaven. Although seasonal shifts were expected by the carrier, the scale of the year’s drop exceeded its forecasts. More workforce shortages are projected as additional holidays approach. Maersk has extended its contingency plan to manage delays through the end of May when terminal productivity is expected to return to normal.

Despite efforts to manage delays, European importers have limited options. “There are ports with slightly less congestion, but we’re only talking about a one- or two-day difference,” the forwarder said. Some importers once used Mediterranean ports to avoid congestion in Northern Europe, but that is no longer a viable option. Due to the Red Sea crisis, those routes take longer and cost more – especially when goods must be trucked inland to countries like Austria, Germany, or Switzerland.

Source: The Loadstar