Anticipated congestion at major container terminals in Northern Europe is expected to persist until July. Operational challenges and disruptions in global trade have exacerbated delays. Major ports like Antwerp, Rotterdam, Hamburg, and Bremen have reported worsening congestion, with waiting times for vessels extending from several days to up to two weeks.

These delays are caused by various factors, including recent strikes, low water levels on the Rhine restricting barge capacity, and high terminal yard utilization. A nationwide strike in Antwerp on May 20 caused significant disruptions, with the port authority adjusting vessel schedules to meet demand and some ships unable to confirm arrival or departure dates due to shortages of maritime and inland waterway pilots.

Zhongjin has learned that shipping companies are responding to the situation by adjusting routes and imposing congestion surcharges, while some terminals are managing yard space by limiting the acceptance of empty containers. Additionally, the early arrival of the peak season in trans-Pacific trade has prompted shippers to expedite cargo transportation to move goods before the end of July, further exacerbating the situation.

Companies like Sea-Intelligence have pointed out that dynamic adjustments in tariff policies pose operational challenges, with goods from the peak season needing to be transported by mid-July to meet the August 14 deadline. Recent developments show that a U.S. federal court blocked the implementation of the tariff policy announced on April 2 by the Trump administration. This ruling could impact port congestion. Similar situations are observed in European, Chinese, and American ports, with increased ship queues.

Industry analysts warn that the chaos in Europe could have a ripple effect on the global supply chain, potentially leading to increased freight rates and longer transport times. Bloomberg predicts that a combination of multiple factors may prolong transportation bottlenecks for ports and carriers until July. Emergency measures may result in extended transit times.