Posted on May 26, 2025
A recent report highlights worsening congestion at major ports in Northern Europe and other key regions, suggesting that trade disruptions could extend to Asia and the US, leading to increased shipping costs. According to a report by London-based maritime consultancy Drewry, from late March to mid-May, the waiting time for berths at Germany’s Bremerhaven port increased by 77%. During the same period, delays at the Port of Antwerp rose by 37%, and the Port of Hamburg saw a 49% increase in waiting times. Rotterdam and the UK’s Felixstowe Port also experienced extended wait times.
The main causes of these delays are labor shortages and low water levels in the Rhine River, which have hindered barge transportation to and from inland areas. The report also notes that similar situations have been observed in ports such as Shenzhen, Los Angeles, and New York, where the number of container ships waiting to dock has been rising since late April.
Hapag-Lloyd AG’s CEO, Rolf Habben Jansen, mentioned that while there are signs of improvement at European ports, it may take another six to eight weeks to fully manage the situation.
