Regional Updates in Europe

Last updated on February 10, 2025

Operational and Customer Service Overview

Last updated on February 10, 2025
Operations Team, Europe

"We understand that time is a valuable commodity. That's why our operational updates are designed to be brief, yet informative. In just two minutes, we can guide you through the main port updates and vessel news per service to assist with your cargo planning. We regularly update our information on this page, and twice a month, we'll remind you via email."

Further to our Customer Advisory dated 10th December 2024, we would like to inform you that the necessary repairs at Algeciras have been successfully completed and the vessel has departed at 12:00 PM on 15th December. Below is the her tentative schedule in Europe (Subject to further changes)

We regret for your all inconvenience caused and thanks for your understanding in this regard.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact your local HMM offices.

Vessel updates and port changes per service

If you are shipping with our Caribbean Express Service (CES), here's the latest update for your cargo planning. From January 7, 2025 our Antwerp (BE) call will be performed in PSA Antwerp “Europaterminal” (terminal Quay 869).

For your reference, here is the first vessel calling PSA Antwerp “Europaterminal” (terminal Quay 869)., including Voyage, Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA): Vessel/Voyage ACHELOOS V.451N, Port: Antwerp (BE). And the last vessel calling Antwerp Container Terminal ACOT including Voyage, Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) and week: Vessel/Voyage: CAPE ALTIUS V.450N, ETA BEANR: December 31, 2024, Port: Antwerp (BE).

Update: November 8, 2024

Management of affected bookings:
Starting Monday, November 4, 2024, the CTA has implemented vessel-specific regulations for the delivery of export containers.

As a result, Carrier-Haulage bookings may be impacted, and transport routes need to be adjusted together with our partners.
You can be ensured, that Hapag-Lloyd is actively working to identify the best possible solutions for dispatching export containers, including the use of temporary storage at third-party locations.
However, we would like to inform you that any resulting storage and handling fees will be charged to the goods and invoiced accordingly.

Please be advised, that the CTA restrictions also apply to all merchant haulage bookings, and we would like to encourage you to contact the terminal directly for further information.

Update: Novemeber 4, 2024

The situation in the Red Sea, the delays in US ports due to strikes and ongoing construction at the berths are causing ship delays at Container Terminal Altenwerder (CTA). Despite full use of all available resources, the current volume of export deliveries is exceeding CTA's storage capacity. In recent days and weeks, numerous measures have been implemented, including reallocating vessels between terminals and using external storage facilities to maintain the cargo flow. With this todays letter we have to inform you that CTA has to introduce temporary restrictions for export container deliveries. Starting Monday, November 4, 2024, the delivery of export containers will be regulated on a vessel-specific basis.

Antwerp, Belgium 

  • PSA 913: Yard remains on a high level of 75 - 80% utilization. Reefer at 65 - 70%. Terminal slightly impacted by fog this week but no major delays.
  • PSA 869: Yard currently standing high level of 80 - 85% utilization. Reefers on a moderate level of 55 - 60% utilization. 
  • AGW: Antwerp Gateways yard stands unchanged compared to previous week at 65 – 70% utilization. Reefers in the same range as the dry yard at 65 – 70%.

Rotterdam, Netherlands

  • ECT: After the successful settlement of the labour dispute terminal has returned to normal operations. Yard remained on a high level of 80 - 85% utilization.
  • RWG: Yard utilization increased to 75 - 80%. Terminal continues with very high productivity. Feeder demand on a high level. 

United Kingdom

  • SOU: Yard on a high level of 75 – 80% utilization but no concerns from terminal side. Reefers unchanged at 60 - 65%. All vessels with an agreed berth window and some open berth space.
  • LGP: Yard standing at 65 – 70% utilization. Reefers decreased compared to last week to a low utilization of 50 – 55%.

Hamburg, Germany 

  • CTA: Yard returned to a higher level of 70 – 75%. Berth utilization has returned to almost maximum occupancy. 
  • CTB: Yard remained on an elevated level of 75 - 80%.
  • CTW: Yard on a stable level of 60 – 65% utilization.

G.M.P. Le Havre, France

  • CNMP/GMP/TNMSC: (This week Tuesday 04/06 – Thursday 06/02). For WK07 another 4 hours announced for Monday, Wednesday and Friday. GMPs yard with an increasing trend at a high level of 85 - 95% due to high vessel demand and strike actions seeing the truck gates closed. Reefers increase as well but not critical at 75 – 80% utilization. Busy vessel program at GMP with slight vessel bunching. CNMP: Yard at 50 – 55% utilization. Reefers at 50 – 55%.

Italy 

  • No updates for this week

Algier

  • No updates for this week

Israel

  • Operations under emergency situations
    • While ports are considered essential services and are expected to operate "as usual", our operations are being conducted in accordance with a contingency plan and guidelines provided by the relevant authorities, including the Home Front Command (Army) and the Ports and Shipping Authority (IMOT). Please note that some port employees have been recruited by the defence forces, which may lead to delays and disruptions.
  • Haifa IMO restrictions remain in place as follows:
    • No new DG bookings for loading/unloading
    • NO problem for transit DG cargo
    • Waterborne DG cargo may be unloaded and stored at ILHFA port upon approval by the Ministry of Transport, except for Bromine/Amonia - IMO 2.1, 2.3 which will be treated as DIRECT DELIVERY ONLY.
    • Following an announcement regarding a "special situation in the hinterland" in the geographical area in which the Port of Ashdod is located, the Ministry of Transport has instructed the Port to regulate the entry of vessels carrying hazardous materials ("HAZMAT") of any kind, subject to prior approval by the Israel Maritime and Port Authority.
  • Ashdod Port has updated restrictions for DG as follows:
    • No new DG bookings for loading/unloading
    • NO problem for transit DG cargo
    • Waterborne DG cargo may be unloaded and stored at ILASH port upon approval by the Ministry of Transport, except for Bromine/Amonia - IMO 2.1, 2.3 which will be treated as DIRECT DELIVERY ONLY.
    • Reefers containing HAZARDOUS WATER will be handled as DIRECT DELIVERY ONLY.

Greece

  • No updates for this week

Türkiye

  • No updates for this week

Romania

  • No updates for this week

Slovenia

  • No updates for this week

Croatia

  • No updates for this week

Portugal

  •  No update for this week 
Spain
  • Due to the recent heavy rainfall across south-eastern Spain, we are currently facing unavoidable disruptions to our transport schedules. Extreme weather conditions have impacted road safety and temporarily reduced the transport routes available in the region. Please refer to our Live-Ticker here

North (Poland, Denmark, Sweden and Finland)

  • No reports.
  • Poland - Secure Container Release (SCR) implementation from November 2024.

Germany & Central Europe

  • Due to rail infrastructure work, trains are delayed.
  • We are closely monitoring water levels at the Rhine River.

    Low water levels have been reported for the Rhine River as of November 2024. Current levels can be found on elwis.com. Charges apply as indicated in our Customer Letter from September 2024.

  • Container Terminal Altenwerder (CTA) has implemented vessel-specific regulations for export container deliveries.
    As a result, Carrier-Haulage bookings may be impacted, and transport routes may need adjustment with our partners. We are working to find optimal solutions for dispatching export containers, including temporary storage at third-party sites. Please note that any resulting storage and handling fees will be invoiced accordingly.

Benelux

  • We are facing low water levels at the Rhine River and are monitoring the situation closely.

France

  • No reports.

United Kingdom/Ireland

  • No updates for this week.
  • UK - Secure Container Release (SCR) implementation from November 2024.

Adriatic Sea / Black Sea / Levante / Northern Africa

  • No updates for this week.

Spain and Portugal

  • Due to the recent heavy rainfall across south-eastern Spain, we are currently facing unavoidable disruptions to our transport schedules. Extreme weather conditions have impacted road safety and temporarily reduced the transport routes available in the region. Please refer to our Live-Ticker here

Ukraine/Russia updates:

  • Please visit general updates here, and the FAQ in this link.
  • UK and Ireland: Our booking confirmation for shipments on feeder vessels sailing from the United Kingdom and Ireland will now show the link to our Hapag-Lloyd Website. On this link you'll be able to find the free time allowed on quay and the storage/demurrage charges that will be incurred if this is exceeded. In addition, the shipping instructions cut-off period will be the same as VGM, MRN or UCR, and DGN. You will be able to see this on your booking confirmations from May 20, 2024.
  • For the surrender of Original Bills of Lading prior to container release at destination, please contact your local office for detailed guidance, they are happy to assist you. Please also consider electronic payment channels.
  • You can do all your transactions digitally – from placing a booking to sending a shipping instruction
  • To monitor your shipments, use the Hapag-Lloyd Navigator, or visit our Online Business section for vessel/container/booking status and sailing schedules information.
  • Get info and updates by subscribing to our CustomerNEWS.

Here's an update for Booking Cancellation Window for Region North Europe

Here's an update for your cargo planning in North Europe*. From April 8, 2024, we will be amending the application rule and time period that a booking may be cancelled without charge.

Currently, the booking cancelation fee is applicable for shipments where containers are canceled, reduced, re-booked within 7 calendar days before the booked vessel cut-off date.

With effect from April 8, 2024, the booking cancelation fee will be charged for any booking canceled, reduced, re-booked within 5 calendar days before the estimated departure (ETD) date.

*Countries in the scope of Region North Europe include Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Poland, France, Great Britain, Republic of Ireland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania.

Update on Booking Confirmations in Antwerp

With your cargo planning in mind, our booking confirmations for shipments from Antwerp will no longer include the earliest delivery date. Instead, we will refer to the terminal websites for the cargo yard opening hours of your scheduled vessel at the PSA Antwerp and DP World terminals. To effectively plan your loading and transport arrangements, this live information is essential.

Remember to bookmark both terminal websites. They are listed below for your reference:

Contact

Contact your nearest operational expert