Snow, ice and freezing temperatures are affecting port and terminal operations across the region, with direct consequences for road haulage companies serving key maritime gateways.
In their advisories, both carriers identify several major North European ports as impacted, including the Port of Hamburg, the Port of Antwerp and the Port of Rotterdam.
According to the shipping lines, adverse weather conditions are reducing productivity at container and intermodal terminals. As a result, trucks are experiencing longer waiting times when collecting or delivering cargo, while loading and unloading processes are proceeding more slowly than usual.
Both Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd point to ice and low temperatures as key factors affecting terminal efficiency. Freezing conditions in yards and on internal road networks are limiting vehicle movements and handling operations, making collection and delivery windows less predictable for road hauliers.
The carriers warn that these conditions can increase truck dwell times inside port areas, adding pressure to drivers’ schedules and fleet planning.
The shipping lines indicate that operational disruptions may continue as long as winter weather conditions remain. Hauliers operating to and from Northern European ports are advised to take potential delays into account when planning routes and delivery times.
No specific timeline for a return to normal operations has been given, with both carriers stressing that the situation depends on how quickly weather conditions improve.
