According to the latest report from Drewry consultancy in London, port congestion is worsening in major gateways in Northern Europe and spreading to Asian and U.S. hubs. Low water levels on the Rhine which limit barge capacity especially out of Antwerp and Rotterdam are aggravating the situation, impacting inland logistics.
Drewry reported that waiting times for berth space soared 77% in Bremerhaven between late March and mid-May. Over the same period, delays increased 37% in Antwerp and 49% in Hamburg, with Rotterdam and Felixstowe also experiencing longer waits.
Drewry noted that similar patterns are taking place in Shenzhen, Los Angeles, and New York, where the number of containerships awaiting berth has been increasing over the past three weeks.
“Port delays are stretching transit times, disrupting inventory planning and pushing shippers to carry extra stock,” Drewry said. “Adding to the pressure, the transpacific eastbound trade is showing signs of an early peak season, fueled by a 90-day pause in US–China tariffs, set to expire on Aug. 14.”
Meanwhile, global shipping lines are rerouting vessels and introducing congestion-related surcharges.
(Dreamstime photo of Port of Bremerhaven)