European Importers Face Backlogs as Rail Delays Worsen Port Congestion

European importers, especially those relying on German ports like Hamburg and Bremerhaven, are confronting critical delays as rail line disruptions compound already strained port capacity. Kuehne + Nagel has warned shippers that terminal yards are full and berthing lines at maximum occupancy, adding fuel to an escalating congestion crisis.

The causes are multi-faceted: a landslide near Hannover has severed rail links, forcing rerouting; low Rhine River water levels have further reduced barge capacity; and industrial strikes have snarled operations in Antwerp and Le Havre. The result is widespread port and hinterland bottlenecks affecting Antwerp-Bruges, Rotterdam, Hamburg, and Bremerhaven. Flexport reports average port dwell times of 5–6 days at Bremerhaven, while inland rail delays reaching up to several hours are compounding the backlog. K+N notes that available options for importers are very limited and the crisis is systemic.

Shipping lines such as Maersk have adjusted service schedules—bypassing Hamburg or Bremen in some service rotations—to ease strain, although this has added complexity to route planning. The disruptions are forecasted to persist into summer and likely into early autumn, with capacity and infrastructure constraints showing no immediate relief. Analysts warn importers to brace for extended lead times, growing costs, and reduced schedule reliability across Northern Europe as spillover effects continue to cascade.