by Manal Barakat, SeaNewsEditor
The Port of Hamburg is currently experiencing significant rail handling delays, impacting the entire train network and causing frequent cancellations.
On 29 October, delays of approximately 4 hours at Eurokombi Terminal (EKOM) and 5 hours at Container Terminal Altenwerder (CTA) were reported.
The high volume of trains has exacerbated the situation, affecting the availability of wagons for new shipments.
In their advisories, rail services operators highlighted that on-time delivery and collection of containers cannot be guaranteed, and loading delays, departure delays, and partial cancellations are expected.
In addition, due to train length limitations and construction work, the access road to CTA was temporarily closed, severely restricting capacities. IGS Intermodal reported a backlog of up to 30 hours.
Repair work in the station area of CTA/KTH (Kombi-Transeuropa Terminal) necessitated a track closure, leading to delays of about 48 hours.
Despite additional night shifts, trains could not be handled within their slots, and the dispatch train running controls remain in effect.
Since 26 October, the Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) has implemented a confirmation scheme for disposable arrivals in Hamburg due to the increasing number of stopped trains.
This scheme aims to manage capacity allocation, but the circulation of trains and locomotives remains severely restricted, delaying import trains as well.
Eurogate terminal has also been experiencing a shortage in trucking slots, which is causing delays in container delivery and pick-up.
Ship delays at Altenwerder terminal prompt container handling restrictions
Furthermore, Kuehne+Nagel reports that port operator Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) will introduce supply restrictions as of 4 November 2024 due to the high capacity utilisation of its terminal.
In an advisory, the HHLA said the delivery of export containers will be regulated on a vessel-specific basis.
This means that the terminal will generate and communicate ship lists from next week, and containers can only be handed in at the terminal if ships are released. Containers that cannot be handed in at the terminal must be temporarily stored.
