According to a report released by the London-based maritime consultancy firm Drewry on Friday, May 23, worsening congestion in major Northern European ports, including Antwerp, Rotterdam, Hamburg, and Bremen, is being exacerbated by the successive tariff policies issued by US President Donald Trump, with the situation expected to further deteriorate.

The report highlights that container ships at these European ports are facing increasing berth delays, with efforts currently underway to address the backlog of goods.

Data reveals that from late March to mid-May, berth waiting times at the Port of Bremen in Germany increased by 77%; delays in Hamburg increased by 49%; delays in Antwerp increased by 37%; meanwhile, waiting times at the ports of Rotterdam and Felixstowe in the UK also extended.

Causes of port congestion include labor shortages, low river levels, and the trade wars initiated by the United States.

In Belgium's Port of Antwerp-Bruges, a nationwide strike on May 20 intensified port operations. Earlier, the Port of Antwerp had faced various operational challenges, including backlogs caused by previous strikes, tight yard capacities, imbalances in import and export cargo, and berth time adjustments due to alliance restructuring.

Belgium announced another nationwide strike on May 20, leading to a suspension of all shipping operations at the Port of Antwerp during the strike. This escalated situation will pose further challenges for container throughput.

Additionally, low water levels in the Rhine River have restricted barge capacity, particularly affecting barge operations at the ports of Antwerp and Rotterdam, further intensifying pressure on inland logistics.

The fluctuating tariff policies by the United States have made it difficult for exporters to arrange orders, resulting in non-seasonal fluctuations in shipping. Recent tariff threats by Trump, along with trade disputes with the EU, have increased uncertainty in global economic activity, causing significant losses for countries highly reliant on exports to the US such as Germany, Belgium, Ireland, Italy, and the Netherlands.

Apart from Europe, similar shipping blockages have been observed in locations like Shenzhen, Los Angeles, and New York. Shipping companies are adjusting routes and imposing congestion-related surcharges on exporters.