As you may already know, the Port of Rotterdam is Europe’s largest and busiest shipping hub. However, the Port of Rotterdam is facing congestion challenges with multiple container terminals handling massive volumes. In this blog, we will break down the current situation at the Rotterdam terminals and take a closer look at ECT Delta, RWG, and APM Terminals that form the backbone of container handling in the port.
The Terminals in Rotterdam
The port of Rotterdam has several major container terminals, including:
- Europe Container Terminals (ECT): operator of the ECT Delta Terminal, one of the busiest in the region, with terminals at various locations, including the Maasvlakte area. The ECT Delta Terminal, located at the Maasvlakte, is part of the ECT network and one of the most frequently used terminals in Rotterdam.
- APM Terminals: known for its efficiency and global standards. It has a presence in Rotterdam with its terminal offering container handling and related services.
- Rotterdam World Gateway (RWG): a modern terminal located at Maasvlakte 2. It is known for its advanced technologies and efficient container handling operations.
- Euromax Terminal Rotterdam: serves large container vessels and is favored by carriers like Costco and Evergreen.
- Rotterdam Container Terminal (RCT): Operated by Hutchison Ports, located at Maasvlakte, offering a full range of container logistics services.
Among the listed terminals, ECT Delta stands out as one of the most heavily utilized, particularly by carriers like Evergreen and COSCO. Due to the volume of containers, the terminal is currently overwhelmed. Truck drivers often face waiting times of 4 to 6 hours for loading or unloading. Whereas congestion used to be limited to peak periods at specific terminals, it has now become a port-wide issue, affecting all cargo flows.
Port of Rotterdam Congestion – What our Carriers Say
A seasoned carrier from our network indicates:
“At the ECT Delta, in the last three months, four hours of waiting has become the norm. That is far from normal.”
He explained that Evergreen containers are primarily stored in blocks 10 and 11, leading to bottlenecks when a large vessel arrives and unloads hundreds of containers at once. The terminal’s layout simply is not designed to handle such sudden spikes. This directly impacts costs, with truckers charging up to €80 per hour for waiting, fees that are ultimately passed on to clients.
Timing arrival at the terminal is important. Even when containers arrive at less busy zones, some still face average waiting times of two to four hours. For many clients, especially those shipping fresh goods, delays are simply not an option. They often instruct trucks to head to the terminal immediately, regardless of the queue. Once the truck arrives, the clock – and the cost – starts ticking.
Another major challenge involves returning empty containers. As the carrier notes:
“You pick up a full container at Delta and must return the empty to Euromax within three days. But if Euromax is full, you are stuck figuring out an alternative return point – often under a special reference – right back at Delta, which is already congested.”
Rotterdam’s terminal congestion is now a challenge for shippers, carriers and freight forwarders. While the development of Maasvlakte 3 is underway as a long-term solution, its completion is still years away.
The carrier highlights:
“Everyone ends up paying more,” the carrier added. “Eventually, it is the consumer who bears the cost. The only question is who can hold onto their margin the longest.”
It becomes a huge mess when there is no space at terminals. Drivers often wait hours just to drop off or pick up cargo. As he explained, “We try to schedule early morning or late evening drop-offs, hoping it will be quieter, but there is no guarantee anymore.”
Choosing the Right Shipping Line
Choosing the right shipping line depends on the routes, pricing and availability. In most cases, clients are dependent on the network coverage of each carrier. For example, Maersk may not have a direct or competitive route from certain Chinese ports, making it less suitable for specific shipments.
As one expert explained during the interview:
“You really have to look at which country the cargo is coming from, what connections are available, who has the strongest presence there and who offers the most affordable rate.”
If a clients insist on using a carrier like Maersk from China, it is possible. However, it could involve an indirect route or additional transit time leading to higher costs. The final decision is dependent knowing which carrier performs best on a specific route.
Need Help Navigating Rotterdam?
As the Port of Rotterdam continues to struggle with terminal congestion, businesses need to be prepared for this and have to adapt. If you are planning to export goods through Rotterdam but you are unsure about how the port works or you are concerned about long delays, unexpected surcharges or choosing the right terminal, we are here to help.
Contact us today and let us help you ship with confidence.