News from the logistics industry
We keep you regularly informed about important developments in the shipping and logistics industry – from schedule changes by shipping lines and the situation in the ports to sanctions and customs topics.
Gulf update: UN Security Council meets, Hormuz traffic sharply reduced
The UN Security Council met again on 13 November at Bahrain’s request to discuss the situation in the Gulf. According to the United Nations, citing UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains around 65% below pre-war levels, and October saw more incidents involving merchant ships than any month since the conflict began. By 11 November the IMO had recorded 134 confirmed incidents in and around Hormuz. The Gulf Cooperation Council called for shipping to return to conditions before 28 February and rejected transit fees. Transits through the Bab al-Mandab Strait have also fallen by roughly a quarter since July, the UN said.
Incidents in the Strait of Hormuz have increased again in recent days. According to Iran's military, several tankers were damaged by explosions on 11 and 12 November, which Iran attributes to sea mines; on 13 November the Revolutionary Guards also reported an explosion on an LPG carrier. The UK maritime agency UKMTO confirmed that a vessel was hit by a projectile on 11 November about 14 nautical miles northwest of Ras Al Khaimah; the crew was evacuated. According to Reuters, at least ten ships were hit in the first ten days of November alone, after 37 attacks in October. Diplomatic efforts continue, but there is no agreement on reopening the strait so far, and the US naval blockade of Iranian ports remains in place. For shipments to the region, the surcharge of USD 1,000 per container on top of the Emergency Freight announced by Maersk on 6 November still applies; reefer, dangerous goods and out-of-gauge bookings remain suspended for large parts of the region.
For customers: Shipments to the Gulf region should still expect surcharges, booking restrictions and longer transit times; we check routings via ports outside Hormuz for each shipment and will inform you directly of any changes.
Sources: UN News (13 Nov 2026), The National (13 Nov 2026), Reuters / Investing.com (12 Nov 2026), Middle East Eye (13 Nov 2026), Gulf News (13 Nov 2026), DataPortuaria / Maersk (6 Nov 2026)
EU: new Russia sanctions target shadow fleet and refineries
The EU is preparing further sanctions against Russia. According to EU Commissioner Maria Luís Albuquerque, EU foreign ministers are expected to adopt new listings on 16 November targeting Russian oil refineries and structures of the so-called shadow fleet; more than 690 vessels are already listed and barred from EU ports and services. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also announced that the 22nd sanctions package will be presented before the EU summit on 26–27 November. According to EU diplomats, it is expected to include further restrictions on banks and crypto platforms as well as measures against circumvention via third countries.
For customers: For exports to Russia, Belarus and possible circumvention countries, we recommend having consignees, goods and payment channels re-checked before shipment; we will report on the specific content of the new package as soon as it is published.
Sources: European Pravda (12 Nov 2026), TimesLIVE / Reuters (12 Nov 2026)
Port of Hamburg: Container volumes recover in the third quarter
The Port of Hamburg stabilised in the third quarter of 2026 and partly made up for the declines of the first half. From January to September it handled 6.1 million TEU, 2.8 % less than a year earlier; the port cites early-year weather, the effects of the Iran war, strikes and the modernisation of its container terminals. Traffic with India (+7.8 %), Singapore (+9.3 %) and Sri Lanka (+3.7 %) grew noticeably, while trade with China is almost back at last year's level. Conventional general cargo such as machinery and vehicles is growing again as well (+2.0 %).
For customers: The ongoing terminal modernisation is set to make Hamburg more efficient in the long run; for shipments to India and Southeast Asia, Hamburg remains a well-connected port of loading.
Source: Port of Hamburg (12 Nov 2026)
Spain: General strike slows truck and rail traffic to ports
Spain is seeing its first nationwide general strike in 14 years on 11 November. The unions UGT and CCOO report broad participation, and pickets are blocking numerous roads in Catalonia. Rail freight runs on a minimum service of 26%, while there is no comparable minimum service for road haulage. Deliveries to and collections from the already busy ports of Valencia and Barcelona may therefore be delayed.
For customers: Deliveries from Spanish ports may slip by one to two days; we are monitoring affected containers.
Sources: elEconomista (11 Nov 2026), Kuehne+Nagel (10 Nov 2026)
USA: South-west rail lines reopen after flooding
Following severe flooding in New Mexico and Arizona, US freight railroad BNSF has reopened its main lines on the Gallup and El Paso subdivisions. The embargo on traffic via El Paso has been lifted. Additional resources are clearing the backlog; some lanes on the Southern Transcon may still see longer transit times into next week.
For customers: Container moves from US ports to inland destinations are running again; minor delays are possible until around the middle of next week.
Source: Kuehne+Nagel (10 Nov 2026)
Update Hamburg/Bremerhaven: Terminals full, berth works in week 47
In Bremerhaven, the NTB terminal is around 93% full; space is especially tight for dangerous goods (IMO) and out-of-gauge cargo (OOG), and terminals are asking for early loading and prompt collection. In Hamburg, yard occupancy is around 90% at CTH and 71% at CTA, where electrical upgrades and crane maintenance are slowing operations. Maintenance at berth N2 in calendar week 47 will further limit berthing flexibility. Average vessel waiting times are about 1.2 days in Bremerhaven and 1.8 days in Hamburg.
For customers: Please coordinate dangerous goods and out-of-gauge exports via Bremerhaven with us early; we will plan delivery windows and pre-carriage accordingly.
Source: Kuehne+Nagel (10 Nov 2026)
From 1 December: Higher ocean tariffs to South Asia
Hapag-Lloyd is raising its base ocean tariff rates from North Europe to south-east India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh with effect from 1 December 2026. The change covers dry containers to Ennore, Colombo and Chittagong. The base rate rises by USD 200 for 20-foot containers and by USD 100 for 40-foot containers and applies until further notice. Bunker and security surcharges as well as terminal and local charges continue to apply on top.
For customers: For exports to South Asia sailing from December, we recommend coordinating bookings with us early; we review the conditions for each shipment.
Source: Container News (10 Nov 2026)
Suez update: first Evergreen ship transits canal as traffic picks up
The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) has confirmed that Evergreen sent a container ship through the canal on 8 November for the first time in almost three years: the Ever Eon (around 16,600 TEU) passed through in the northbound convoy on its voyage from Rotterdam to Singapore. The carrier plans to route further sailings via the canal step by step. Overall traffic is clearly recovering: canal revenue in October was 94% higher than a year earlier, the highest monthly figure since the Red Sea crisis began. Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd, CMA CGM, MSC and COSCO had already moved individual services back to the Suez route.
For customers: Exports from Northern Europe to the Far East and the Middle East can once again achieve shorter transit times on Suez services; we check the current routing for every booking.
Rhine low water: surcharges for barge pre-carriage are rising
Falling water levels on the Rhine are once again hampering container barge traffic between the western seaports and the hinterland. Maersk has therefore reinstated a contingency surcharge of EUR 625 per container for export and import shipments via the Andernach inland terminal (including Polch and Eberhahn), effective 3 November; it is charged on top of the general low water surcharge. Barge operations there had only resumed at the end of October. Since 1 November, Hapag-Lloyd has been applying revised low water surcharges staggered by the gauges at Kaub, Cologne, Duisburg-Ruhrort and Emmerich, and warns that barge transport cannot be guaranteed when levels fall very low.
For customers: For exports from the Rhine hinterland via Rotterdam or Antwerp, please allow more time and budget for pre-carriage at present; we are happy to check rail or truck alternatives.
Sources: DataPortuaria / Maersk (9 Nov 2026), Container News / Hapag-Lloyd (28 Sep 2026)
Hamburg: HPA starts marketing new PortOne port site in Steinwerder
The Hamburg Port Authority has started marketing "PortOne by HPA", one of the largest land development projects in the Port of Hamburg. Since February 2025, the former Hansa and Roß terminal sites in Steinwerder have been converted into a contiguous area of around 26 hectares, which is being raised by more than two metres for flood protection. Around 23 hectares with trimodal access by water, rail and road are to be let to companies from the maritime sector, logistics, manufacturing and the energy transition. Concepts can be submitted until mid-2027, with handover planned for 2030.
For customers: The project strengthens Hamburg as a port location in the long term and creates space for new port-related logistics and industrial sites.
Update Los Angeles/Long Beach: talks extended to 20 Nov
A strike by security staff at the US ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach remains off the table for now. The ILWU Local 26 union, which represents around 250 watchmen, has agreed to continue negotiating with the employers’ association PMA for another two weeks, until 20 November; the previous deadline expired on Friday, 6 November. The talks continue with support from the US mediation service FMCS. Both ports again reported record volumes in October, and the Port of Long Beach expects high volumes until at least early 2027.
For customers: Shipments to the US West Coast continue to run normally; we are monitoring the negotiations up to 20 November.
Customs: New Combined Nomenclature applies from 1 January 2027
The European Commission has published the 2027 version of the Combined Nomenclature (CN) as Implementing Regulation (EU) 2026/2163 in the Official Journal; it applies from 1 January 2027. The CN is the basis for the commodity codes used in import and export declarations and determines the duty rate and statistical treatment of goods. The annual update can amend, merge or split individual codes. Thanks to the early publication, businesses have almost two months to adjust product master data and templates.
For customers: Please check the commodity codes of your products for shipments from January 2027 – this avoids queries and delays with the export declaration.
Sources: European Commission, DG TAXUD (30 Oct 2026), Maersk Europe Market Update (6 Nov 2026)
Rotterdam: Rail capacity at Maasvlakte II tight until June 2027
At the APM Terminals Maasvlakte II container terminal in Rotterdam, rail capacity will remain restricted for longer than previously expected due to ongoing expansion works. According to Maersk, fewer train slots and less flexibility are to be expected until the end of June 2027. Depending on the shipment, barge, truck or other rail solutions may serve as alternatives. Overall, port operations in North Europe remain broadly stable according to the carrier, although winter weather may continue to cause delays.
For customers: For rail exports via Rotterdam we recommend planning pre-carriage early; we are happy to arrange alternatives via Hamburg, Bremerhaven or Antwerp.
Rotterdam: Hapag-Lloyd takes stake in Maasvlakte II terminal
Hapag-Lloyd has completed the acquisition of a 25% stake in the APM Terminals Maasvlakte II container terminal in Rotterdam following approval by the antitrust authorities. The stake is held via its terminal subsidiary Hanseatic Global Terminals and secures long-term handling capacity at a key European hub of the Gemini Cooperation with Maersk. The terminal is currently being expanded with additional berths, yard space and further automation and is then expected to handle around 5.4 million TEU per year.
For customers: More terminal capacity in Rotterdam strengthens export handling at one of our key ports of loading.
Source: Container News (6 Nov 2026)
Update France: tug strike slows Le Havre until Saturday
Following the nationwide strike day on 5 November, when the Port 2000 and HGP container terminals as well as locks and bridges in Le Havre were affected for 24 hours, tug crews at French ports are on a 24-hour strike on 6 November. The Le Havre port authority expects significantly slower marine operations from Friday 08:00 to Saturday 08:00, meaning delayed vessel arrivals and departures. The port of Calais also reported considerable disruption on 5 November. The impact on other French ports depends on local participation; experience shows that clearing backlogs after strike days takes a few days.
For customers: Delays are possible for shipments via French ports until early next week – we will inform you directly about affected bookings.
Full ships: Maersk reports 96% utilisation and raises guidance
Maersk published its third-quarter results on 5 November and raised its full-year guidance for the third time this year. According to the company, its fleet ran at 96% utilisation, and on some routes demand exceeded the available space. Maersk attributes this to resilient trade flows, strong industrial cargo for energy and AI infrastructure, and port congestion after a severe typhoon season in Asia that tied up capacity. Spot freight rates measured by the Shanghai Containerised Freight Index averaged 46% above the previous quarter in Q3, while the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz is driving up bunker and network costs.
For customers: Space remains tight on many trades – please register export shipments with us as early as possible.
Suez return: Evergreen sends first ships back through the canal
After almost three years, Evergreen is returning to the Red Sea and Suez Canal route. According to liner analyst Linerlytica, the first two vessels on the Ocean Alliance’s North Europe service NEU7/CES are due to transit the canal on 7 and 11 November, followed by a ship on the MD2 Mediterranean service on 16 November. This means all Ocean Alliance partners are now routing via Suez again. Linerlytica expects all three major alliances and MSC to restore their Suez networks by the first quarter of 2027.
For customers: Transit times for exports to the Far East and the Middle East are gradually set to become shorter; we check the current routing for every booking.
Bremerhaven: €1.35bn for container quay, Kaiserhafen and port railway
Bremerhaven is to be developed into a logistics hub (“Deployment Hub”) for the German armed forces and NATO by 2031, with a project volume of around €1.35 billion. The federal government, the state of Bremen and port company bremenports have signed the administrative agreement and the first individual contracts. Plans include refurbishing the container quay, an almost complete rebuild of the Kaiserhafen and expanding the Speckenbüttel port rail yard. The new infrastructure is explicitly intended for civilian use as well.
For customers: Investment in the quay and rail connections strengthens Bremerhaven as an export port in the long term; we will keep an eye on any construction phases.
Source: HANSA (4 Nov 2026)
Antwerp adds equipment, Le Havre terminal back to normal operations
At the port of Antwerp, 14 new hybrid straddle carriers are entering service, and commissioning of new ship-to-shore cranes is nearly complete. One berth was blocked for 24 hours for the delivery. In Le Havre, the TNMSC terminal is operating normally again after the cyberattack, although vessel arrivals remain affected by the announced port strike. According to Kuehne+Nagel, average vessel waiting time is around 1.6 days in Antwerp and about one day in Le Havre.
For customers: Additional handling equipment in Antwerp should speed up operations in the medium term; we are planning shipments via Le Havre with a buffer because of the strike day on 5 November.
Source: Kuehne+Nagel (3 Nov 2026)
Hamburg and Bremerhaven: fog and full terminals slow operations
In Bremerhaven, yard occupancy has risen to a critical 95%, with space for dangerous goods (IMO) and out-of-gauge (OOG) cargo particularly tight. In Hamburg, yard occupancy at the CTA and CTH terminals is around 85%; delayed vessel arrivals, dense fog, crane maintenance and repairs are slowing operations. Fog-related restrictions on the Elbe are also affecting LNG bunkering. Average vessel waiting time is about 1.8 days in Hamburg and around 1.1 days in Bremerhaven.
For customers: For exports via Hamburg and Bremerhaven, please allow for possible changes to closing and departure dates; dangerous goods and out-of-gauge cargo should be registered early.
Source: Kuehne+Nagel (3 Nov 2026)
Gulf update: UAE ports outside Hormuz heavily congested
According to Kuehne+Nagel, the UAE ports of Khor Fakkan, Fujairah and Sharjah are reporting severe congestion that is increasingly affecting terminal transfers, yard capacity and inland cargo flows. Vessels wait almost 9 days on average for a berth in Fujairah, just over 7 days in Khor Fakkan and around 3 days in Sharjah. Onward transfers from Khor Fakkan and Fujairah to Jebel Ali, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi now take 12–15 days instead of around 5. Some carriers are already reducing allocations for these ports, and restrictions on dangerous goods and special equipment remain in place in Fujairah. Salalah and Duqm in Oman are possible alternative gateways.
For customers: Please allow for considerably longer transit times for exports to the UAE; we are also checking routings via Salalah or Duqm for each shipment.
Source: Kuehne+Nagel (3 Nov 2026)
Premier Alliance moves two more Asia–Med services back to Suez
The Premier Alliance (ONE, HMM, Yang Ming) is moving two further services back to the Red Sea and Suez Canal route. The Asia–East Mediterranean service MD1 switches with the departure of the YM Trust from Ningbo on 14 November and will also return towards Asia via Suez. The MS2/MP2 pendulum linking the Far East, the Mediterranean and the US West Coast follows with the 28 November departure from Qingdao. The North Europe services FE1 (Southeast Asia) and IOX/INX (Indian subcontinent) had already returned to the Suez route.
For customers: More services on the shorter Suez route can shorten transit times to the Far East and India; we check the current routing for each booking.
Source: Kuehne+Nagel (2 Nov 2026)
India service ME1 via Hamburg returns to the Suez Canal
Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd are moving their joint Gemini service ME1 between West India and North Europe from the Cape of Good Hope back to the route through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. The rotation links Mundra, Nhava Sheva and Salalah with Tangier, Rotterdam, Wilhelmshaven, Hamburg, London and Algeciras. The first westbound sailing on the new route is the “Atlanta Express” from Salalah on 4 November; the first eastbound sailing towards India is the “Savannah Express” from Tangier on 13 November. The carriers expect shorter transit times between Europe and India but will continue to monitor the security situation in the Red Sea.
For customers: Transit times for exports from Hamburg to West India and Oman are expected to become shorter; we take the new routing into account when planning your shipments.
Source: Maersk (2 Nov 2026)
USA: New Gainesville inland port with rail link to Savannah
The Georgia Ports Authority has opened the new Gainesville inland port in the north-east of the US state. The terminal is connected directly to the seaport of Savannah by Norfolk Southern rail service and is designed for around 200,000 containers a year; the investment amounts to USD 134 million. Consignees in the industrial region can choose between rail for heavy loads and truck-only transport via Interstates 85 and 985.
For customers: For exports to the US East Coast with destinations in the south-eastern United States, Savannah now offers an additional option for onward transport inland.
Source: Container News (1 Nov 2026)
Somalia: pirates seize fishing vessel – warning for merchant ships
Off the north-eastern coast of Somalia, pirates seized the Iranian fishing vessel “Azini” with 23 people on board on 29 October, between the coastal towns of Bandar Bayla and Hafun. The Maritime Security Centre Indian Ocean (MSCIO) has issued a warning because the hijacked vessel is heading towards a busy commercial shipping lane. There are concerns that the pirates could use it as a mother ship for attacks on cargo vessels. The EU naval operation Atalanta is looking into the incident, and ships in the area have been urged to stay vigilant.
For customers: No impact on schedules has been reported so far. For shipments to East Africa, the Middle East and through the Gulf of Aden, we are monitoring any security measures or routing changes by the carriers.