Additional rail closures scheduled for cargo transport through Northern German ports

Full closures will exacerbate the already strained rail infrastructure and intensify trucker shortages

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by Priya Radünzel, SeaNewsEditor

The Hamburg Port Authority announced several rail track closures scheduled for August and October 2025, connecting Hamburg container terminals with inland locations.

The closures are necessary due to the construction of the new Finkenwerder Bridge on the A7 highway. The current bridge, a critical traffic hub connecting several container terminals, requires renewal. The new bridge will be constructed in the same location and will run over the tracks of the port railway.

As these tracks are the only rail connection to the Hamburg Container Terminals (CTH), also known as Eurogate, and Burchardkai (CTB), the terminals will be significantly impacted on the following days:

2 August 2025, 06:00 - 3 August 2025, 06:00 (24 hours)
9 August 2025, 06:00 - 10 August 2025, 06:00 (24 hours)

3 October 2025, 07:00 - 18:00 (11 hours)
4 October 2025, 07:00 - 18:00 (11 hours)
5 October 2025, 07:00 - 18:00 (11 hours)
6 October 2025, 07:00 - 12:00 (5 hours)

Track closures between Berlin and Northern German ports

Metrans reports that another major closure is planned on the main corridor between Berlin and Northern German ports from 4 August 2025 until April 2026.

This closure will affect all services between ports Hamburg, Bremerhaven and Wilhelmshaven, and the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary and Königs Wusterhausen in Germany.

"During this period, it will be necessary to use only alternative routes with limited capacity. The alternative solutions will be more demanding in terms of time and, therefore, in terms of personnel. The flow of traffic may be disrupted, and delays of several hours may occur," said Metrans.

Intermodal impact

In recent weeks, rail operations to and from Hamburg have faced several challenges, including construction closures in Hamburg-Waltershof and Elbtal, high volumes and storm disruptions.

These challenges have increased the demand for trucking in a very limited environment. According to Ti Insights, the IRU’s 2024 Global Truck Driver Shortage Report states that the number of unfilled driver positions in Europe has surged to 426,000, up significantly from 233,000 in 2023.

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