Port Congestion Breakbulk & Project Cargo
Snarled
Europe port logjams add to disruptions crimping breakbulk moves
By Autumn Cafiero Giusti and Felicity Landon
Port congestion in Europe is compounding the impact of vessel schedule disruptions for breakbulk cargo moves around the world, and with little sign of an end in sight, projects are at real risk of costly delays or even cancellation, according to breakbulk shippers.
The major north Europe hubs of Antwerp, Rotterdam and Hamburg are among the most congested, but Asian ports and transshipment points— including in China, southeast Asia and parts of the Middle East— are also under pressure, said Einys Rincón, director and CEO of CUPA Shipping, an international freight forwarder specializing in oversize, heavy-lift and out-of-gauge project cargo.
“ Congestion is no longer isolated to one specific port or region.”
Port of Antwerp-Bruges
“ Congestion is no longer isolated to one specific port or region,” Rincón told the Journal of Commerce.“ It is affecting several strategic gateways and transshipment hubs at the same time, depending on the trade lane.”
And while dedicated breakbulk facilities might avoid congestion at container terminals, onward transportation shortages, landside chokepoints, and labor pinches are still impacting calls. Barge delays due to drought-related draft, load and speed restrictions, particularly on the Rhine River, are adding to the logjams in Europe. www. joc. com September 2026 | Journal of Commerce 11