by Manal Barakat, SeaNewsEditor

A recent report by analysis firm Drewry highlighted port congestion across key maritime ports in Northern Europe.

Analysts expect the ripple effect of major hubs such as Bremerhaven, Antwerp, and Hamburg to extend to ports in Asia and the United States.

Drewry reported that waiting times for berth space have significantly increased in key locations. These include a staggering 77% increase in waiting times at Bremerhaven between late March and mid-May, alongside notable delays of 37% in Antwerp and 49% in Hamburg.

"Berth waiting times at Antwerp have risen from 32 hours in Week 13 to 44 hours in Week 20—a 37% increase. Similarly, Hamburg has seen a 49% surge, with waiting times climbing from 34 to 50 hours, while Bremerhaven saw a 77% increase over the same period," writes Drewry.

These delays are attributed primarily to labour shortages and historically low water levels on the Rhine River, which are hindering barge traffic to inland destinations.

Danish carrier Maersk has implemented contingency measures to mitigate the impact on sailings, including temporary adjustments to routes, such as extending its AE5 service from Bremerhaven to Nordic terminals.

Rotterdam, often one of the initial ports called on shipping routes, also faces delays, diminishing any benefits of switching to other locations.

Mediterranean ports have occasionally served as alternatives to avoid bottlenecks in northern Europe for shipments heading to regions such as Austria and Switzerland.

However, the situation in the Red Sea remains uncertain, and carriers continue to sail the longer route around Africa.

Ripple effect extending beyond Europe

The fluctuating US tariff policies add pressure to the global supply chain.

A temporary rollback of tariffs on Chinese imports prompted a surge in shipping demand between China and the US, which is expected to cause congestion at key US ports.

Drewry reports that the number of container vessels awaiting berth in Shenzhen, Los Angeles, and New York has steadily risen since late April.

This increase in delays has disrupted inventory planning and led shippers to carry additional stock, adding further strain to supply chains.

For the latest port and vessel statuses or situation updates, please refer to the seaexplorer alert map.

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