Rotterdam Sea Port Terminal

Operational Situation in Northern Europe – Update No. 26

Dear Customers,

We would like to provide you with an overview of the planned March disruptions in the German part of the Elbe Valley, which will significantly limit services between CZ, SK, HU, AT, the Balkans, and the ports of Northern Germany, Rotterdam, and Duisburg.

  • Partial closure Kurort Rathen – Pirna 27.02.-11.03.26 always 0:01 a.m. – 4:00 a.m.
  • Partial closure Kurort Rathen – Pirna 11.03.-14.03.26 always 9:00 p.m.– 4:00 a.m.
  • Extensive construction work / multiple closures Dresden railway junction 14.03., 2:00 p.m. – 15.03., 6:00 a.m.
  • Complete closure Schöna – Bad Schandau 16.03. – 07.12.26 every Monday 9:10 a.m. – 6:50 p.m.
  • Closures Dresden railway junction + closure Schöna – Bad Schandau night of 16/17.03., 9:55 p.m. – 5:20 a.m.
  • Partial closure Schöna – Bad Schandau 17.03.-22.03.26 always 9:10 a.m. – 5:10 p.m.
  • Partial closure Kurort Rathen – Pirna 18.03.-22.03.26 always 8:00 p.m. – 4:00 a.m.
  • There is also a partial closure today from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in Děčín due to technical work.

The operational situation after the weekend remains unfavourable. The overcrowded and slowed-down German railway infrastructure is hindering all our services to and from northern German ports, Rotterdam and Duisburg. A number of trains are still stopped en route, and the circulation of trains and locomotives is significantly disrupted. There are considerable delays. We are forced to cancel some connections. For northern German ports, it is still generally the case that import connections are fully booked weeks in advance, and the volume of imports accumulated at ports is enormous.

Hamburg: HPA cancelled entry permits this morning.

Bremerhaven: Entry permits are still active.

Gdańsk: Trains are currently running with a delay of approximately 18 hours, and train circulation is disrupted. The terminal BalticHub has reduced the capacity of planned slots by 30% for this week. Imports are fully booked until 19 March 2026, and it is not yet possible to request a special train.
 
Our Customer Service will answer your questions about specific shipments.

METRANS Team