Maersk Europe Market Update - September 2025

4 九月 2025

Laura Maersk bunkering methanol from Kassø in Aabenraa, Denmark

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Ocean and Key Ports Update

After a typical summer slowdown, the market seems optimistic about a strong recovery in EU export volumes starting in September 2025. With the recent US-EU trade agreement boosting market access and sustained demand for key sectors like pharmaceuticals, vehicles, and machinery, export levels are expected to return to robust pre-summer norms. Our teams remain ready to utilise this momentum, ensuring seamless operations and continued growth.

The latest Sea Intelligence reliability report shows a month-on-month schedule reliability decline for the first time in the year, reaching 65,2% globally. The Gemini cooperation, however, continues to trend above the 90% mark, with the latest reliability report for June/July 2025 showing 92% reliability across all arrivals.

A stack of Maersk blue containers at a container depot

Following up inflation and cost increases for 2026 Terminal Handling Services have been reviewed and posted under Rate Announcements. The new Terminal Handling Service (THC) tariff levels become effective as of October 2025 – for detailed information per destination, please visit Rate Announcements.

Heading towards the end of summer, strong winds in the north Europe and stormy weather in the south are to be expected across several countries. For customers shipping to Germany, we would like to add a reminder on the upcoming move of all German seaports to a secure release order, starting 1 October. For more information on the new container release process, read more in our Inland Update or visit our advisory page.

In Rotterdam and Bremerhaven, due to maintenance across several terminals, our teams are evaluating possible impact to services and reviewing recovery plans. In Rotterdam, due to planned roadworks on and around Coloradoweg and gate area maintenance, the terminal gate will be closed from 21:00 on 12 September until 05:00 on 15 September.

Further south, terminal in Koper is seeing high density, and moving empties to depot to be able to use the terminal space for full units. High yard density is impacting productivity levels at the terminal and customers are kindly asked to pick up their import units as soon as possible after discharge, to help alleviate the pressure on the terminal. Due to Slovenian railway infrastructure works taking place until the end of the year, we are seeing rail capacity constraints. For more information, scroll down to our Inland Update, or visit the advisory page.

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Inland Update

We previously communicated an upcoming change to the import container release process in German sea ports. While the secure release order will become mandatory on 1 October, as of September, maersk.com-based merchant’s haulage self-service delivery orders (SSDO) are prompted to enter the 17-digit German Ports ID. This is part of a soft launch, and entering the German Ports ID will remain optional until it becomes mandatory closer to the secure release order go-live date of 1st October 2025.

As we prepare for the go-live, we strongly encourage all our customers and vendors to register on the “German Ports” platform as early as possible. This will ensure you obtain the required ID and meet the technical and training requirements in time. Last-minute registration requests with the platform providers may lead to processing delays and could result in demurrage beyond the carrier’s control.

Find out more about the secure release process here or reach out to your local representative in case of any question.

Elsewhere in Slovenia, we are expecting reduced railway capacity at the Port of Koper due to several extensive investment works. The Slovenian public railway infrastructure works will further intensify in the coming months and impact key rail corridors in Slovenia until the end of the year. These infrastructure works are expected to cause significant disruption to rail operations within Slovenia, especially on the Ljubljana–Sežana/Koper line, which serves as the primary rail route to the Port of Koper.

Beyond 2025, some rail works are scheduled to continue further into 2026 and cause additional capacity reductions. For an overview of key dates and expected closures, please visit the advisory page. Our teams continue to work closely with the terminal and railway operators to find alternatives for our customers where possible. To help minimise further unnecessary delays, we kindly ask customers to send all orders and documents well in advance. If you have any questions, or require further assistance, please reach out to your local representative.

For more information on ways to connect seamlessly with our rail, road, and barge solutions across Europe, please visit our Inland transportation services in Europe.

Air Freight Update

The global economy is showing signs of slowing amid rising trade tensions and economic uncertainty, yet air freight demand has remained resilient on key trade lanes. While overall global demand growth reached just 0.7% year-on-year in June according to WorldACD, outbound shipments and intra-Far East Asia routes continued to perform strongly, highlighting that critical industries still rely on air capacity to keep supply chains moving.

Maersk Air Cargo Boeing 767F performing operations at Billund Airport

At the same time, air freight capacity has been increasing, with July volumes up 5% year-on-year, while cargo load factors in the first half of 2025.

However, the Golden Week national holiday period across China is fast approaching next month, which traditionally brings heightened demand for air freight and therefore more competition for space. We encourage you to book early, consider flexible routing options, and coordinate closely with our teams to ensure reliability and control costs.

Please click here to find helpful information about Maersk Air Cargo and our services to and from Europe.

Customs Update

Recent global tariff escalations are reshaping international commerce and requiring quick strategic responses from European businesses. The new EU–US Joint Statement marks a pivotal moment, establishing a more predictable transatlantic trade framework. While the US has imposed sweeping tariff hikes, reaching up to 50% on key materials like steel, aluminium, and copper, the EU successfully negotiated a 15% cap on most exports, including strategic sectors such as automotive, pharmaceuticals, and semiconductors.

We encourage our customers to take a proactive and strategic approach to navigating shifting trade dynamics. This means auditing US-bound product lines for tariff exposure and adapting pricing or sourcing strategies accordingly, while also working closely with trade advisors to leverage the benefits of the EU–US deal and understand sector-specific exemptions. It is equally important to stay alert to retaliatory measures from other regions that may indirectly affect European exports. By strengthening transatlantic partnerships, diversifying trade strategies, and ensuring the smooth implementation of EU and US ESG measures, companies can build resilience and unlock long-term growth potential. Our Global Trade and Customs Consultants are here to support you on the journey, should you need any assistance.

Customs services employee sitting at a desk with a laptop open, wearing a headset

Elsewhere involving the US, the de minimis exemption (which enabled duty-free treatment for parcels valued under $800) officially ended as of 29th August 2025 for all countries. This move is already disrupting European postal logistics, with national carriers in Germany, France, Spain, Belgium, and others suspending shipments to the US due to unclear customs procedures and system readiness.

We advise customers to temporarily pause low-value US shipments until customs rules are clarified, while upgrading customs systems to meet new import requirements. At the same time, pricing and customer communications should be updated to reflect added duties and potential delays. To stay competitive, businesses should also explore US-based warehousing or fulfilment solutions.

Finally, ICS2 Release 3 took effect in 11 EU countries from 1st September, including Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands, requiring Entry Summary Declarations (ENS) for all inbound goods. These must include detailed data like EORI numbers, HS codes, and cargo descriptions. Non-compliance can lead to border delays, rejected shipments, or penalties.

However, 16 countries, including France, Italy, and Spain, have postponed full implementation, creating uneven timelines across the EU. This fragmentation poses operational challenges, especially for freight forwarders and carriers navigating system integration and customs coordination. Read more here.

Ecommerce Update

Ecommerce businesses across the continent continue to see disruptions in parcel movements as several global postal services suspend some U.S. shipments as de minimis exemption ends. Shipments previously entered duty-free under Section 321 (de minimis threshold of $800) must now follow standard entry procedures. This includes full customs filings and compliance with all Partner Government Agency (PGA) requirements.

Postal shipments will temporarily remain exempt from formal entry but will be subject to flat or ad valorem duties based on the country of origin. For more details on the latest tariff announcements, including de minimis announcement, please visit our global tariffs page.