The strike at the Port of Rotterdam is having a significant impact on inland shipping and rail traffic, leading to considerable delays. Below is an overview of the current situation.
Impact on Inland Shipping
The seaport terminals were closed from October 8, 3:15 p.m. until October 13, 7:00 a.m. due to the strike. During this period, many import containers could not be unloaded, and loading of inland vessels was severely restricted. Contargo loaded all available containers as far as possible.
At present, the terminals are withholding cargo opening times until clear information from the shipping lines is available. This means that many export bookings cannot currently be delivered, as deep-sea vessels are either not being handled or are bypassing Rotterdam altogether. Currently, about 95% of the booked export cargo on valid barges has a cargo opening time no earlier than October 20.
To ease the situation, we are currently examining alternative unloading options via external terminals. Short-term decisions by the shipping lines—such as rerouting vessels or changes in handling order—will significantly affect when containers become available. This situation is highly dynamic and must be reassessed on a daily basis.
For export containers, this means that cargo opening and closing times may change at short notice and repeatedly. Export cargo already loaded onto trains or vessels cannot be unloaded for the time being. In such cases, Contargo is forced to temporarily store containers at its own or external terminals. The additional costs incurred (e.g., storage, handling) will be charged to the customers. Affected customers will be informed accordingly.
Impact on Rail Traffic
Rail traffic is also affected by the backlogs at the seaports. Due to the massive delays in vessel arrivals and the continuing postponement of cargo opening times, it is currently unclear how train operations will proceed in the coming days—and with which containers.
We currently expect disruptions at least until Wednesday of this week.
Due to strike-related delays in seaport terminal operations, trains are currently running with significant delays. Contargo is doing everything possible to avoid train cancellations, but no improvement can be expected for several days.
Outlook
An urgent court hearing (Kortgeding) took place last Saturday. The court ruled that the strike is generally permissible, but may only continue under certain conditions: port operations must not be completely shut down, and minimum services must be maintained to ensure operations and safety.
Following this ruling, the strike was initially ended on Monday, October 13 at 7:00 a.m. However, if no agreement is reached by the end of this week, another strike may begin on Friday, potentially lasting up to four days.