Congestion at European ports: Maersk decides to skip Rotterdam

Severe congestion at European ports has forced Maersk to change schedules and impose surcharges, while experts warn the disruption could last until the end of the peak season.

maersk-vessel

Maersk container ship (Image: Maersk Line)

With congestion continuing to increase at northern European ports, Maersk has announced a major change to its TA5 transatlantic service. Container ships serving the route will soon stop calling at Rotterdam, citing “current operational constraints”. Ports across Europe are under severe pressure and analysts say the situation is unlikely to improve any time soon.

Starting on 25 June, Maersk’s TA5 service will skip Rotterdam, instead sailing directly from Felixstowe to Hamburg. The decision was explained by “current operational constraints” that make it difficult to maintain a regular service. It is a further – and this time more decisive – response by the shipping line to the ongoing capacity issues at Europe’s largest container port.

Waiting times and surcharges

In May, Maersk introduced an additional surcharge – the Inland Peak Surcharge (IPI/IPE) – related to congestion at the ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp. The surcharge of EUR 10 per TEU applies to all forms of inland transport (road, rail, barge and intermodal), including both Maersk-operated services and domestic services jointly operated by multiple shipping lines.

The new charges apply to shipments to and from deepwater terminals at both ports and, according to the line, will remain in effect as long as necessary to ensure adequate capacity amid declining landside efficiency.

In June, Mediterranean Shipping Co. (MSC) also warned customers of extended transit times on two of its services, citing “continued difficult market conditions that are causing bottlenecks and delays across the supply chain.”

Vessels wait outside

According to data from Lloyd’s List Intelligence’s Seasearcher platform, 11 vessels were anchored outside the port of Rotterdam in the first week of June as they waited for permission to enter the berth. The situation was no better at other major ports in the region – six vessels were waiting in the Hamburg mooring area and five in Antwerp.

Although Antwerp avoided the worst of the congestion in early May (thanks to public and private sector protests), delays remain significant. According to Drewry's analysis, average waiting times at the wharf rose from 32 hours in week 13 to 44 hours in week 20 of the year, a 37% increase.

In Hamburg, some container operators reported delays of up to six days, making it one of the worst-hit ports in the region. Asian shipping lines, including HMM, have also regularly reported ongoing congestion.

Why are ports congested?

Lloyd's List Intelligence analysts attribute the congestion to a combination of factors, including: high demand for shipping, profound changes in the structure of shipping alliances (the disintegration of the 2M alliance and the formation of the Gemini Cooperation), hydrological problems (low water levels), as well as a series of strikes in both the public and private sectors. According to Drewry analysts, the continued accumulation of negative factors could cause further disruptions at least until the end of the peak shipping season, i.e. until August 2025. However, experts point out that the situation could return to normal if there are no further disruptions (such as strikes) and markets in Asia and North America also begin to stabilize.

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