Regional Updates in Europe

Last updated on April 17, 2025

Operational and Customer Service Overview

Last updated on April 17, 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."

Vessel updates and port changes per service


If you are shipping with our South America West Coast Express (SWX), here's the latest update for your cargo planning.

  • From March 18th, 2025 our Rotterdam (NL) call will be performed in Hutchison Ports Delta II Terminal.
  • For your reference, the first vessel calling Delta ll terminal in Rotterdam, will be CMA CGM Jacques Joseph 5202N / 5212S, Port: Rotterdam (NL). 
  • Vessels are omitting FRLEH until June 21, 2025.

Antwerp, Belgium 

  • PSA 913: Yard utilization remains on a very high level of 90 - 95%, with reefer utilization at 70 - 75%. Terminal faced with challenges and vessel backlog due to backlog from the strike actions and phase out volume. PSA adjusted the gate opening times to 5 days prior vessel ETA.
  • PSA 869: Yard utilization stable at 80 - 85%, while reefer utilization has increased again to 75 - 80%. Gang availability remains good, and the terminal continues to operate efficiently despite a high volume of vessel calls.
  • AGW: Yard utilization has remained stable at 65 - 70%, with reefer utilization stable as well at 60 – 65%. Cargo opening times remain 5 days prior to vessel ETA. No operational challenges to report.
  • Easter: All terminals will remain with regular water side operations.

Rotterdam, Netherlands

  • ECT: Yard stabilized as phase in/out will be completed next week. Yard at 70 - 75%. Second modalities remain under pressure. Berth line-up continues at very high utilization. The terminal is managing heavy demand with all available resources deployed. ECT received 3 new gantry cranes this week. No other operational challenges to report.
  • RWG: Yard utilization remains high at 75 - 80%, with yard protection measures in place. Productivity remains very high, and feeder demand continues at elevated levels. The berth line-up is fully utilized with no gaps expected in the coming weeks.
  • DELTA II: Yard on a normal level of 65 – 70%. Labour sufficient. No operational challenges to report.
  • APMT MVII: Yard on a good level of 70 – 75%. Terminal with high productivity and throughput. No operational challenges to report.
  • Easter: All terminals will remain with regular water side operations.

United Kingdom

  • SOU: Yard on a good level of 70 – 75% utilization. Reefers unchanged at 50 - 55%. All vessels with an agreed berth window. Terminal on a healthy level with no operational challenges to report. 
  • LGP: Yard stands on a high level of 80 – 85% utilization. Reefers on high utilization of 75 – 80% as well. Berth line-up remains busy with back-to-back vessels calls and congestion. LGP is deploying maximum resources to work through the heavy demand. Due to the high amount of vessel seeking a berth the terminal remains under pressure.
  • Easter: All terminals will remain with regular water side operations.

Hamburg, Germany 

  • CTA: Yard remains at an elevated level of 75 – 80% utilization. Berth utilization remains on a high demand. Good labour supply continues terminal working with good productivities. Easter closure with contingency plan in place. After Easter week with minor vessel bunching due to the closure but expected to drain quickly. 
  • CTB: Yard recovered to 75 - 80% due to the imposed truck delivery restrictions. Line-up fully occupied until end-April. Terminal is working through the high demand. Easter closure catered into the berth line-up minimal impact expected.
  • Easter closure: Good Friday 18/04 work on voluntary basis, Saturday 19/04 work until end of shift 12:30, Easter Sunday 20/04 no operations, Easter Monday 21/04 work on voluntary basis.
Wilhelmshaven
  • CTW: Yard on a stable level of 65 – 70% utilization. All vessel with berth on arrival and handled with good productivity. Easter closure contingency in place and expected to continue operation on a high level around the closure.
  • Easter closure: Good Friday 18/04 work on voluntary basis, Saturday 19/04 work until end of shift 12:30, Easter Sunday 20/04 no operations, Easter Monday 21/04 work on voluntary basi.s
G.M.P. Le Havre, France
  • CNMP/GMP/TNMSC: Strike actions for April have been suspended by the union as productive talks with the Government have taken place. GMPs yard remained recovered to a normal yard level of 60 - 65%. Reefers remained on a high level as well at 75 – 80% utilization. CNMP: Yard at 50 – 55% utilization. Reefers at 50 – 55%. No operational challenges to report for the port of Le Havre.
  • Easter: All terminals will remain with regular water side operations.

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
 
  •  No update for this week 

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 
 
  • No reports. 

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.

The Port of Hamburg is currently experiencing disruptions due to a strike by the pilot transfer service. As a result, traffic flow control for vessels will be adjusted for 36 hours, starting today at 6 PM CET. During this period, vessels requiring pilotage will be unable to enter or leave the port.

Expected Resolution:
Regular pilotage services are expected to resume at 6 AM on Friday, February 28, 2025, unless the strike is extended.

We are closely monitoring the situation and will provide updates as new information becomes available. If you have any concerns or require further assistance, please contact our local teams.

Update – February 28, 2025: The strike has ended and regular pilotage services have resumed. We appreciate your patience during this time and encourage you to contact our local teams if you need any further assistance.

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.

  • 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