Congestion at the Port of Hamburg has intensified, and several ports in Europe are likely to come to a standstill
Recently, major ports in Europe are experiencing a congestion crisis. Ports such as Rotterdam, Antwerp, and Hamburg have been experiencing persistent congestion, with the average waiting time for ships climbing to 66 to 77 hours.
▋ The chain reaction of the strike exacerbated the paralysis of the supply chain
At present, the Port of Hamburg has suspended the acceptance of imported refrigerated containers due to saturated storage yards, and the railway transportation system of the Port of Antwerp has been paralyzed by strikes, causing the delay rate of inland transportation to surge to 65%. The Financial Times of the UK pointed out that the congestion problems in Rotterdam, Antwerp and Hamburg are the most severe and are unlikely to ease in the short term. The extended waiting time for ships directly increases the operating costs of shipping companies, disrupts the shipping schedule and reduces the turnover efficiency of ships. Shippers, on the other hand, are confronted with increased uncertainty in the delivery time of goods, forcing them to opt for higher-cost transportation methods or increase inventory, which further drives up overall logistics costs.
What is even more alarming is that the Port of Hamburg in Germany is about to fall into even deeper congestion due to infrastructure upgrades. According to the announcement of the Port of Hamburg Authority, the only railway passage connecting the container terminal (CTH/CTB) to the inland will be closed in phases for the renovation of the Finkenwede Bridge. The specific times are as follows:
From 06:00 on August 2, 2025 to 06:00 on August 3, 2025 (24 hours)
From 06:00 on August 9, 2025 to 06:00 on August 10, 2025 (24 hours)
October 3, 2025, 07:00-18:00 (11 hours)
October 4, 2025, 07:00-18:00 (11 hours)
October 5, 2025, 07:00-18:00 (11 hours)
October 6, 2025, 07:00-12:00 (5 hours)
In addition, from August 4, 2025 to April 2026, the main passage between Berlin and the ports in northern Germany will be largely closed, and only alternative routes with limited capacity can be relied on, which is expected to cause transportation delays of several hours or even longer.
The current European freight crisis has evolved into a systemic risk, adding new variables to the supply chain predicament. Shipping companies have adjusted freight rates, and although terminal operators have accelerated recruitment and urgently purchased equipment to deal with the crisis, the industry generally holds a pessimistic attitude towards resolving congestion in the short term.
Customers need to be prepared for a long-term response to minimize the impact of supply chain disruptions.
Sungreen Logistics particularly reminds all shippers to plan their transportation cycles in advance, prepare emergency response plans, and divert some cargo volumes to other transportation methods or choose nearby ports to diversify risks. They should closely monitor market dynamics and changes in shipping company policies.
▋ The chain reaction of the strike exacerbated the paralysis of the supply chain
At present, the Port of Hamburg has suspended the acceptance of imported refrigerated containers due to saturated storage yards, and the railway transportation system of the Port of Antwerp has been paralyzed by strikes, causing the delay rate of inland transportation to surge to 65%. The Financial Times of the UK pointed out that the congestion problems in Rotterdam, Antwerp and Hamburg are the most severe and are unlikely to ease in the short term. The extended waiting time for ships directly increases the operating costs of shipping companies, disrupts the shipping schedule and reduces the turnover efficiency of ships. Shippers, on the other hand, are confronted with increased uncertainty in the delivery time of goods, forcing them to opt for higher-cost transportation methods or increase inventory, which further drives up overall logistics costs.
What is even more alarming is that the Port of Hamburg in Germany is about to fall into even deeper congestion due to infrastructure upgrades. According to the announcement of the Port of Hamburg Authority, the only railway passage connecting the container terminal (CTH/CTB) to the inland will be closed in phases for the renovation of the Finkenwede Bridge. The specific times are as follows:
From 06:00 on August 2, 2025 to 06:00 on August 3, 2025 (24 hours)
From 06:00 on August 9, 2025 to 06:00 on August 10, 2025 (24 hours)
October 3, 2025, 07:00-18:00 (11 hours)
October 4, 2025, 07:00-18:00 (11 hours)
October 5, 2025, 07:00-18:00 (11 hours)
October 6, 2025, 07:00-12:00 (5 hours)
In addition, from August 4, 2025 to April 2026, the main passage between Berlin and the ports in northern Germany will be largely closed, and only alternative routes with limited capacity can be relied on, which is expected to cause transportation delays of several hours or even longer.
The current European freight crisis has evolved into a systemic risk, adding new variables to the supply chain predicament. Shipping companies have adjusted freight rates, and although terminal operators have accelerated recruitment and urgently purchased equipment to deal with the crisis, the industry generally holds a pessimistic attitude towards resolving congestion in the short term.
Customers need to be prepared for a long-term response to minimize the impact of supply chain disruptions.
Sungreen Logistics particularly reminds all shippers to plan their transportation cycles in advance, prepare emergency response plans, and divert some cargo volumes to other transportation methods or choose nearby ports to diversify risks. They should closely monitor market dynamics and changes in shipping company policies.
