Introduction
In what has been dubbed the “Maritime Gridlock Crisis” of 2025, Northern Europe’s ports are experiencing unprecedented congestion. According to data from logistics tracking firms, about 50% of commercial vessels in the region are waiting to dock, some for several days. A shortage of labor, digital system failures, harsh weather conditions, and cargo backlogs have brought major terminals in Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium to a near standstill.
What’s Causing the Bottleneck?
Lack of qualified port workers, especially crane operators and technicians
Ongoing disruptions from strikes in southern France and Italy
Failures in digital infrastructure for real-time logistics management
Backlogs of unreleased cargo due to customs and regulatory delays
Severely Affected Ports
Here is a summary of the current situation in key Northern European ports as of May 2025:
Immediate Impact on Global Trade
Sharp rise in shipping prices on Atlantic routes
Shipping companies divert routes to ports like Port Said and Alexandria
Extended transit times for cargo heading to Israel, the Middle East, and North Africa
Direct Damage to Importers and Exporters
Israeli importers report 10–14 day delays in receiving goods
European exporters miss delivery deadlines, violating supply contracts
Insurance companies are raising premiums due to heightened logistical risks
Possible Responses: Alternative Routes
Redirecting cargo to smaller ports like Bruges or Danish terminals
Integrating rail routes from the Baltic to southern ports
Using Eastern Mediterranean ports as interim hubs – including Haifa
Temporary Disruption or Structural Breakdown?
According to maritime logistics experts, this is a systemic crisis, not a temporary hiccup. Management issues, outdated tech, and labor shortages are unlikely to be resolved quickly. It will take significant investment, EU-level coordination, and innovative logistics to meet future demand.
Impact on Israel
Import timelines are extending, particularly for industrial goods
Importers turn to air freight – at double or triple the cost
Israeli customs must prepare for delayed offloading
Competitive advantage for companies with emergency stock or smart logistics hubs
Summary
The shipping gridlock in Northern Europe is not just a logistical issue – it’s a global warning sign. Globalization relies on coordination, efficiency, and speed. When one node fails, the entire supply chain shudders. For Israel, this crisis highlights the need for forward planning, diversified sourcing, and decentralized logistics.
| Port | Average Waiting Time | Containers Waiting | Main Cause of Delay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hamburg | 96 hours | 160,000 | Labor shortage |
| Rotterdam | 72 hours | 200,000 | Severe congestion in terminal flow |
| Antwerp | 60 hours | 130,000 | Poor coordination with customs authorities |
| Bremen | 48 hours | 85,000 | Shortage of temporary warehouse space |
News Report as Published on Port2Port
The ports of Antwerp, Bremerhaven, Rotterdam, and major UK ports are experiencing severe congestion due to vessel rerouting and abnormal delays. According to a report by the shipping broker Braemar, the current situation is expected to persist for at least three to four months.
Ports across Northern Europe are now facing what Braemar describes as “exceptionally heavy congestion.” In Antwerp, terminal space occupancy has reached 96%, while infrastructure for handling refrigerated containers is operating at 112% capacity, well above the permitted threshold. Approximately 50% of vessels arriving at the port are waiting to berth, with another 52 vessels en route.
Germany’s Port of Bremerhaven is also suffering from similar delays, with about 30% of vessels delayed. Meanwhile, other key ports—including Rotterdam, Felixstowe, London Gateway, and Southampton—are also congested, as a result of rerouted ships originally destined for overwhelmed continental ports.
According to a new Braemar report, the disruptions are likely to continue for at least three to four months, until shipping alliances adjust their schedules and cargo volumes stabilize.
“Northern European ports are now experiencing severe operational disruptions. Waiting times are excessively long, yard occupancy is too high, and the berthing queues keep growing,” said Peter Sand, Chief Analyst at the rate platform Xeneta.
He explained that the disruptions are caused by strikes in France and Belgium, maintenance work conducted during the traditionally low-demand season, and record-high import volumes from Asia during January.
“This is a particularly alarming development,” Sand added. “The vessels carrying Chinese goods blocked by the US trade war are expected to arrive in 50–60 days. If the current congestion continues until then, the result could be operational chaos.“
Hua Joo Tan, co-founder of consultancy Linerlytica, estimated that the current port crisis in Europe would last at least until the end of summer. According to the firm’s data, shipping companies responded quickly to the American market’s turbulence following President Trump’s tariff hikes, withdrawing 8.6% of capacity on the Asia–US West Coast route. Since April, 27 vessels with a combined capacity of 200,000 TEU have been removed from that trade lane, most of which were redirected to Asia–Europe and Mediterranean services.
