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The Loadstar reported last week that congestion across Northern Europe’s major container ports is forecasted to continue well into the summer months, raising concerns across the logistics sector as delays ripple through the supply chain. The situation, already strained by operational bottlenecks, was worsened by last week’s industrial action at the port of Antwerp-Bruges, where yard utilisation had already reached 96% before the strikes began, and reefer plug capacity had exceeded 112%.

Despite efforts by terminal operators to prioritise larger vessels and restore productivity, backlogs remain significant. A spokesperson for the port of Antwerp acknowledged that “schedule reliability and large call sizes” are among the key issues contributing to delays, adding that nearly all ports across Northern Europe are grappling with the same challenges.

Congestion is not limited to Antwerp. Hamburg, Rotterdam, and several UK ports – Felixstowe, London Gateway and Southampton – are also experiencing severe disruptions. Inland logistics networks have been equally impacted, with rail delays caused by landslides near Hannover forcing extended detours, while low water levels on the Rhine have reduced barge capacity. As a result, more cargo is being pushed onto already constrained road and rail networks, creating cascading delays throughout the hinterland.

Shipping lines are adjusting routes and introducing new services in an attempt to ease the strain. For example, ONE recently launched new short-sea connections between Rotterdam and UK east coast ports to alleviate backlogs. However, network realignments have contributed to further complications. According to the liner database eeSea, as of this week, there are more than a dozen vessels anchored in the Channel awaiting access to Antwerp, with some delays stretching up to 10 days.

Schedule reliability for ocean carriers continues to suffer. The Loadstar reported that the latest figures show global on-time performance remains dismally low at around 30%, far below pre-pandemic levels of over 70%. The Gemini continues to outperform other alliances, but even its reliability dipped to 79% at the end of April, with full network deployment still underway. The outlook for the months ahead is challenging. Ongoing rail construction in Hamburg scheduled for early July, persisting labour shortages in key terminals, and uncertainties around alliance network changes all point to prolonged instability. Forwarders are warning clients to brace for longer lead times, rising freight rates, and fluctuating capacity availability throughout the summer and possibly into early autumn.

While port authorities and terminal operators are working to manage the situation, the structural nature of the disruption – driven by inland logistics constraints, evolving vessel schedules, and shifting cargo flows – suggests that short-term relief is unlikely. In the meantime, industry stakeholders are urging greater coordination, better contingency planning, and investment in more resilient infrastructure to weather future shocks.