Severe Congestion in Rotterdam and Hamburg Affecting Feeder Operations
Published 19 februari 2026
We would like to update you on the ongoing operational challenges in the major transshipment ports of Rotterdam and Hamburg. Both ports are currently facing severe congestion, which is impacting all feeder services in the region.
Rotterdam
• ECT terminals are operating with extremely limited resources, causing significant disruption.
• Delta East is allocated less than 15% of the capacity normally needed for the coming week.
• Euromax terminal will not be available for vessel calls during parts of 19–21 February.
• As a result, several feeder operators are temporarily omitting Rotterdam on selected sailings.
Hamburg
• Congestion remains high, with terminals facing capacity restrictions and occasional shutdowns.
• Feeder vessels are experiencing long waiting times, schedule deviations and berth omissions.
Operational impact
• Growing backlog and dwell times far beyond normal levels.
• Short-notice schedule changes and recent blank sailings to ports such as Helsingborg and Gothenburg.
• DG, reefer and long-standing FIFO cargo are prioritized according to current rules.
We understand the inconvenience this causes, especially for cargo that has already been waiting. NTEX will continue to monitor the situation closely and keep you informed regarding your shipments.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation during this challenging period. If you have questions regarding your specific shipment, please contact your regular contact person at NTEX.
