The U-Freight has a large portfolio of international container shipping services for LCL and FCL cargoes, but severe winter storms and heavy snowfall across Western and Northern Europe is causing widespread disruption to the operations of the shipping lines, and terminal closures, all causing delays and knock-on impacts throughout supply chains.
According to shipping companies including Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd, extreme weather conditions have compelled some vessels to take shelter at sea, while several terminals have temporarily suspended operations or are functioning at reduced capacity. In parts of the western Mediterranean and across Spain and Portugal, ports have halted cargo handling with no clear timeline for when normal operations will resume.
Northern Europe is also seeing significant impacts. Severe winter conditions have disrupted terminal activity in key gateways, with operations in ports such as Hamburg, Rotterdam, Antwerp and other hubs experiencing reduced productivity, extended truck and rail transit times, and congestion both on-dock and inland. Icy roads and sub-zero temperatures are slowing inland transport, compounding delays for importers and exporters alike.
Carriers have warned that these conditions are likely to lead to industry-wide delays, with disruption expected to persist as forecasts call for further adverse weather across the region. The combined effect of terminal suspensions, vessel delays and inland transport constraints means logistics planners and supply-chain teams should prepare for extended transit times and potential backlogs in cargo flows in the coming days.
The U-Freight Group’s ocean teams remain committed to helping clients manage the difficult situations facing container shipping at present and mitigate where possible additional costs incurred. Our ocean freight teams will endeavour to keep in close contact with all clients to provide updates on specific movements.
For more information about the U-Freight Group’s global ocean freight forwarding and logistics services, please visit the relevant pages of this website or contact your local office, details of which can be seen here: https://ufreight.com/locations
