Port congestion is worsening at key gateways in northern Europe and other hubs, according to a new report which suggests trade wars could spread maritime disruptions to Asia and the U.S. and push up shipping rates.
Waiting times for berth space jumped 77% in Bremerhaven, Germany, between late March and mid-May, according to the report Friday from Drewry, a maritime consultancy in London. The delays rose 37% in Antwerp and 49% in Hamburg over the same stretch, with Rotterdam and the UK’s Felixstowe also showing longer waits.
Labour shortages and low water levels on the Rhine River are the main culprits, hindering barge traffic to and from inland locations. Compounding the constraints is U.S. President Donald Trump’s temporary rollback on 145% tariffs on Chinese imports, which has pulled forward shipping demand between the world’s largest economies.
“Port delays are stretching transit times, disrupting inventory planning and pushing shippers to carry extra stock,” Drewry said. “Adding to the pressure, the transpacific eastbound trade is showing signs of an early peak season, fueled by a 90-day pause in U.S.–China tariffs, set to expire on August 14.”
Read more in an article from gCaptain.
