Ongoing Strikes and Inland Disruptions Cripple European Port Operations

Congestion at Northern European ports is reaching a critical point, and recent strikes at the Port of Antwerp-Bruges have only made things worse. Even before industrial action began earlier this week, Antwerp’s yard utilisation was already at a staggering 96%, with reefer plug capacity exceeding 112%, highlighting the growing pressure on infrastructure.

As of the strike’s conclusion, over 100 vessels were still waiting for service. While terminals worked proactively—rearranging schedules to prioritise larger vessel calls—the port now faces a significant backlog and are trying to clear the backlog as soon as possible. But the strike isn’t the only culprit. Maersk and other carriers had already flagged rising congestion from mid-April, citing a combination of low inland water levels, altered ocean schedules, reduced labour availability, and overwhelming call sizes as root causes.

The ripple effect is being felt far beyond Belgium. Germany, the Netherlands, and the UK are also grappling with port backlogs. Metro Shipping reported that 30% of vessel arrivals at Bremerhaven are waiting for a berth, exacerbated by rail disruptions from landslides near Hannover. These incidents are impacting major ports like Hamburg, Rotterdam, and Duisburg, while low water levels on the Rhine are forcing more cargo onto already overburdened rail and road networks.

Looking ahead, forwarders and logistics operators are preparing for delays that could stretch three to four months, due in part to ongoing adjustments from alliance network changes. Metro Shipping cautions importers and exporters to prepare for longer lead times, increased costs, and fluctuating capacity at Europe’s busiest container ports.