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Northern Europe Port Congestion Deepens, Fueling Freight Rate Surge
Northern Europe is enduring its most severe port congestion since the pandemic, with major hubs including Rotterdam, Antwerp, Hamburg, and Bremerhaven reporting extensive vessel wait times and mounting operational pressure. According to maritime consultancy Drewry, waiting times for berth space between late March and mid‑May escalated substantially—up 77 percent in Bremerhaven, 49 percent in Hamburg, and 37 percent in Antwerp. Berth delays across the region averaged five to six days in May and are forecast to continue into July.
Multiple factors are compounding the crisis. Industrial action, including strikes at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges on May 20, has repeatedly disrupted vessel schedules. Severe labour shortages, unresolved automation disputes—such as those in Rotterdam—and ongoing infrastructure strain are exacerbating the backlog. In addition, record-low water levels on the Rhine are limiting barge transport, pushing cargo onto already-strained rail and road networks. Rail capacity has also been affected by landslides and detours, notably near Hannover, further disrupting inland logistics. On top of this, the implementation of new shipping alliances, including the Gemini Cooperation between Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd, and restructuring among MSC, Hapag-Lloyd, and others, has triggered additional port calls and schedule adjustments.
Carriers and shippers are reacting with rerouting and surcharges. Maersk has updated its TA5 transatlantic route to bypass Rotterdam from June 25, sailing via Felixstowe to Hamburg instead. It has also introduced a €10 per TEU inland congestion surcharge for shipments to Rotterdam and Antwerp. Other major lines, including MSC and Hapag-Lloyd, have indicated similar surcharges effective June 1 to mitigate rising costs. Several carriers have suspended calls to Rotterdam entirely and diverted cargo through alternative ports such as Southampton.
The economic ripple effects are significant. The World Container Index shows a sharp rise in spot rates: Shanghai to Los Angeles increased by 27 percent in May, and Shanghai to New York climbed by 29 percent. Shippers are now holding higher inventory buffers, complicating supply chain planning and pushing logistical costs upward.
Outlook remains challenging through summer. Industry analysts forecast the congestion will persist at least through July and potentially into early autumn. Relief is unlikely until alliance schedules stabilize, Rhine water levels rise, and labour disputes are resolved.
In summary, Northern Europe is currently navigating its most severe port bottleneck in years. A convergence of labour disruptions, inland transport constraints, alliance restructuring, and seasonal volume surges is driving longer wait times and escalating freight rates. Carriers are adjusting routing strategies and implementing surcharges while shippers brace for elevated costs and extended lead times. Without rapid improvement in waterway conditions and terminal capacity, this congestion is expected to overshadow the region’s summer shipping season.
