Significant congestion has developed in the largest ports: delays are expected, but no shortage of goods is expected

Major ports down: global logistics disruptions

In recent years, serious economic and logistical challenges have already made it difficult for Europe and the world to function, and now another challenge is causing disruption. Severe congestion has developed in many major trade hubs around the world, including several ports in Europe, which can result in delays and uncertainties of such a magnitude that they can even endanger production processes.

“A few months ago, one of the biggest challenges was that the delivery time of shipments from Asia to Europe was often extended by up to two weeks. This is due to the still existing practice of ships arriving in Europe from the south, avoiding more dangerous sea routes due to the conflict in the Middle East,”

said Dr. Zoltán Doór, President of the Hungarian Logistics Association (MLE), adding that shipping logistics is currently facing another challenge. The punctuality of ocean liners is far below the norm: currently they arrive on time only 58.7% of the time, which is not only lower than the previous 75% rate, but also lower than the 65% accuracy rate measured during the pandemic.

Unpunctual arrivals and geopolitical challenges are both contributing to cargo ships facing waiting times of at least a few days, and even more than 10 days, at many major ports. Congestion in Europe is more prevalent in northern ports, but is also a problem in the Mediterranean region.