Dear Customers,
The German rail infrastructure is overloaded, and the operational situation is extremely complicated. Closures continue along the German-Czech and German-Polish borders, and the infrastructure of northern German ports is often operating at full capacity. For this reason, we are in many respects solely dependent on instructions from DB InfraGO and port infrastructure managers, and our room for negotiation and planning is significantly limited. Trains are being held up, are accumulating delays, we are not receiving transit routes, and the rotation of trainsets and locomotives is thus breaking down.
Unfortunately, the near future does not promise any improvement. The closure on the main Berlin–Hamburg corridor, which was originally planned to last until the end of April, has now been extended until 14/06/2026. In addition, starting 15/05/2026, closures on detour routes around Hanover will begin due to extensive track reconstruction. Complications such as speed restrictions or single-track sections must be expected. Some freight trains will continue to pass through this area and share capacity with heavy passenger traffic. Transit times will therefore be highly uncertain. Other connections will be rerouted via Güstow.
Traffic to and from northern German ports will face another, even tougher challenge.
Current Updates:
The following service suspensions are currently in effect in the Elbe Valley this week, significantly limiting service between the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Austria, the Balkans, and ports in northern Germany, Rotterdam, and Duisburg.
- Schöna – Bad Schandau until the end of 2026, every Monday from 9:10 a.m. to 6:50 p.m.
- Dresden 11/05/26 1:10 a.m. – 4:10 a.m.
- Pirna – Heidenau 15–17/05/2026, daily from 9:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m.
On 14/05/2026, German ports will operate in limited mode due to a public holiday.
Hamburg: HPA is managing train arrivals. Volumes at the terminals exceed the capacity of our allocated slots. Most port terminals are operating with delays. CT Burchardkai is gradually closing some of its storage blocks this week due to construction work. For this reason, it may not be possible to pick up containers scheduled for a train on time. Only shortened tracks are still available at Eurogate, so it is necessary to split trains.
Bremerhaven: BremenPorts is managing train arrivals.
Wilhelmshaven: Import delays of up to 2 days.
Rotterdam / Duisburg: Imports from Duisburg delayed by up to 3 days; exports to Rotterdam/Duisburg delayed by approximately 0.5 days.
Gdańsk: Operations currently proceeding without major delays.
Please direct any questions regarding specific shipments to our Customer Service.
METRANS Team