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Congestion in the Port of Rotterdam has reached a very troubling level. A survey conducted by Nieuwsblad Transport among 124 companies across the maritime, inland shipping, road transport, forwarding and terminal sectors shows that almost the entire transport chain is now affected. While unexpected disruptions such as recent stevedore strikes and protest actions are widely seen as immediate triggers that push the system into sudden gridlock, companies describe a deeper, structural imbalance behind the current situation. Growth in cargo volumes, increasing vessel sizes in container shipping, unreliable deep-sea schedules and pressure on hinterland capacity all contribute to a chronically overloaded system in which every incident has a magnified effect.

Container hauliers express particularly serious concerns. Almost all indicate that planning and turnaround times have deteriorated significantly over the past year. They describe a combination of peak loads at the quayside, shifting arrival times of vessels and cumulative delays that put constant pressure on land-side operations. The inland shipping sector, however, appears to be suffering the most severe financial consequences. Every respondent in this group reports that congestion has had a negative impact on operations, and many indicate damages ranging from half a million euros to more than one million.

Source: CLECAT Newsletter 21.11.2025