Boxport congestion spreads from Europe to the US and China

Port congestion seen across key Northern European hubs is intensifying and is now spreading to China and the US, a situation expected to worsen as a result of Donald Trump’s on/off tariff strategy. 

Compounding the situation, low water levels on the Rhine are limiting barge capacity, particularly out of Antwerp and Rotterdam—further straining inland logistics.

Major gateways including Antwerp, Rotterdam, Hamburg, and Bremerhaven are now grappling with escalating backlogs, as containerships face mounting delays. At the Port of Antwerp-Bruges, operations were further strained by a nationwide strike on May 20.

The issue isn’t limited to Europe. Similar patterns are emerging in Shenzhen, Los Angeles, and New York, where the number of containerships awaiting berth has been increasing over the past three weeks, according to Drewry. 

“Port delays are stretching transit times, disrupting inventory planning, and pushing shippers to carry extra stock,” Drewry noted. 

Meanwhile, carriers are rerouting vessels and introducing congestion-related surcharges. 

Adding to the pressure, the transpacific eastbound trade is showing signs of an early peak season, fuelled by a 90-day pause in US–China tariffs, set to expire on July 9.