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German seaports are voicing serious concerns about the potential fallout from the ongoing “Generalsanierung” railway overhaul program, urging the government to increase its budget for rail and port infrastructure in 2025. The ambitious renovation of Germany’s rail network, which began with the critical Riedbahn corridor in summer 2024, poses significant challenges to maintaining efficient connectivity for freight transport.

German rail operators have already expressed fears of delays, diversions, and a reverse modal shift to road transport due to the extensive works. Now, German seaports are sounding the alarm, highlighting the risk of losing overland accessibility, which could undermine their role as vital trade hubs.  The concern is particularly acute for ports like Lübeck, a major node for trade with Scandinavia. The impact of such disruptions could ripple across the supply chain. Angela Titzrath, president of the German Seaports Association, is calling for proportional closures and enhanced capacity on diversion.

The renovation program underscores the delicate balance between modernizing infrastructure and maintaining operational continuity. For freight forwarders and logistics companies, these disruptions highlight the importance of diversified transport strategies and coordinated investment in sustainable, multimodal solutions.

As the German government prepares its budget for 2025, the call for increased funding reflects broader concerns across the logistics sector. Addressing these issues will be crucial to avoiding a reverse modal shift and ensuring Germany’s seaports remain key gateways for European and global trade.

Soruce: RailFreight.com