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Ocean and Key Ports Update

Positive recent developments between the US and Iran are most welcome on the road to restoring long-term stability in the Middle East and ending conflict, however the situation continues to be unpredictable and Maersk is proceeding with caution at this time. We are ready to resume transits as soon as conditions are confirmed to be safe, and any crossing will be based on thorough risk assessments and security guidance from relevant authorities and partners. Please visit our dedicated Middle East Situation page for the latest updates in and around the region.

On the ocean, network adjustments have been introduced to strengthen connectivity between East Mediterranean and West Mediterranean hubs, including the launch of the new Adriatic Service. These changes are expected to support a more consistent cargo flow across the Mediterranean network and enhance overall reliability, better balancing volumes between key hubs.

From a terminal operations perspective, seasonal pressures are expected to impact several Mediterranean ports over the summer period, particularly in Genoa where productivity has traditionally been impacted. To mitigate disruption, customers are encouraged to consider Vado Ligure as an alternative gateway, where operations are expected to remain more stable. Planning flexibility will be important to maintain schedule integrity during this period, and our teams are on hand to support with coordination.

Operational challenges impacted key European ports at the turn of the month, driven by both weather related disruption and labour constraints. In Rotterdam, a recent heatwave resulted in temporary terminal stoppages and productivity losses. These disruptions have reduced handling efficiency and are expected to result in short term delays and schedule adjustments across affected services.

In Antwerp, pilot availability remains constrained and is continuing to affect vessel movements. Customers moving cargo via Rotterdam and Antwerp are advised to build additional buffer time into planning to help mitigate the impact of ongoing operational disruption.

At the same time, yard pressure remains elevated across parts of the region, and customers are kindly asked to collect import units as soon as possible in order to alleviate congestion.

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Logistics and Services Update

The European Free Trade Association has recently launched a new digital Free Trade Dashboard, designed to help companies identify tariff savings, track how effectively they are using free trade agreements, and uncover untapped opportunities across EFTA and bilateral trade flows. As tariff preferences are not applied automatically, businesses should actively review their trade flows, origin documentation and customs processes to ensure they are fully benefiting from available agreements and not incurring unnecessary duties. Customers are encouraged to explore the tool and assess potential savings by country, product and trade agreement. Further details are available in the official announcement here.

At the same time, regulatory requirements for imports into the European Union have tightened significantly with the full rollout of the Import Control System 2 (ICS2) Release 3 as of 1st June 2026. This replaces the previous system across all Member States and introduces stricter requirements for pre arrival cargo data submissions. Importers, carriers and logistics providers must now ensure higher data accuracy and completeness, including correct product classifications and detailed Entry Summary Declarations. Failure to comply may result in cargo holds, border delays and increased scrutiny. Customers should review their internal data quality, filing procedures and coordination with logistics partners to ensure compliance and avoid disruption. More information can be found here.

New regulations are continuing to be released, so please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Global Trade and Customs Consultants if you require support with your customs operations.

Air freight demand across Europe remains relatively stable, underpinned by steady import growth of around 6–7% year on year in early 2026. The Asia–Europe corridor continues to act as a key driver, maintaining sustained growth and supporting overall volumes into the region. At the same time, capacity conditions have stabilised, with global supply only marginally below last year’s levels ( 0.4% year on year in April), and space availability across Europe improving compared to earlier in the year.

For customers, the current environment offers improved short term stability, but supply chains remain exposed to sudden disruption. To mitigate risk, customers should prioritise early planning and booking on key trade lanes, particularly Asia-Europe, where demand remains structurally strong and capacity can tighten quickly if disruptions re emerge. Securing uplift in advance and sharing accurate forecasts will help ensure continuity for time sensitive and high value shipments.

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

Elsewhere, on the Bremen-Bremerhaven rail corridor, planned rail infrastructure works – scheduled from 9th July 2027 to mid-December 2027 – are expected to temporarily impact rail capacity serving the ports of Bremerhaven and Bremen. These works are designed to improve long-term reliability and resilience, however we expect operational adjustments, reduced capacity, and the need for rerouting during the upgrade period. Read more about it here.

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.

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