Key European ports including Antwerp, Le Havre, Rotterdam, and Hamburg are experiencing significant congestion due to increased Asian imports and seasonal demand surges. Terminal utilization rates have reached critical levels, causing extended waiting times and operational challenges across the region.

Port Congestion Overview

• Le Havre, France: Severe shortages of reefer and dry containers reported, with frequent last-minute equipment cancellations
• Rotterdam, Netherlands:
• ECT terminal at 75% capacity
• RWG terminal at 85%
• APMT MVII terminal nearing full capacity at 95%
• UK Ports:
• Southampton operating at 90-95% capacity (reefers at 60-65%)
• London Gateway at 50-55% capacity (reefers at 35-40%)
• German Ports:
• Hamburg CTA stable at 75-80%, CTH at 85-90%
• Bremerhaven NTB at 80-85%
• Additional rail disruptions expected in August and October
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Carrier Response Measures

Shipping lines are implementing strategic adjustments to mitigate delays:

• Maersk temporarily rerouting AE11 services from Genoa to Vado APMT terminal
• Hapag-Lloyd introducing contingency plans for Genoa-bound vessels through late September

Industry Outlook

Logistics experts anticipate sustained congestion through the peak summer months, with operational pressures likely to continue into the fourth quarter. The current situation has been characterized as a "red-alert summer" for European container terminals, reflecting the ongoing strain on regional supply chains.

Stakeholders are advised to anticipate extended lead times and consider alternative routing options where available. The combination of strong import demand and infrastructure constraints suggests challenging conditions will persist in the coming months.