Maersk has issued an advisory warning customers of potential delays at the Port of Rotterdam as congestion builds ahead of the Easter holiday period.
The shipping giant highlighted increasing pressure on terminal operations, driven by a surge in cargo volumes combined with reduced working hours and labor availability during the holiday season. This has led to longer vessel waiting times, extended dwell periods, and slower cargo handling across key terminals.
Maersk noted that yard congestion and limited berth availability are further compounding the situation, with ripple effects expected across inland transport networks, including rail and trucking services. Customers have been advised to anticipate schedule disruptions and plan shipments accordingly.
The Easter period traditionally sees a slowdown in port productivity across Europe, but this year’s impact is being amplified by already tight capacity and ongoing supply chain constraints. Industry sources indicate that several vessels are experiencing delays both on arrival and departure, affecting schedule reliability on major trade routes.
Maersk has urged shippers to maintain flexibility in their logistics planning, consider alternative routing options where possible, and stay in close coordination with carriers and service providers to mitigate disruptions.
The congestion at Rotterdam underscores the broader challenges facing global supply chains, where seasonal factors, infrastructure limitations, and fluctuating demand continue to test operational resilience.
