Maersk has announced changes to its TA5 transpacific shipping route due to ongoing congestion at northern European ports. Starting June 25, vessels will no longer stop in Rotterdam and will instead travel directly from Felixstowe in the UK to Hamburg, Germany. This decision is in response to "current operational constraints" that hinder regular scheduling.

In May, Maersk introduced a land congestion surcharge of 10 euros per TEU for transport in Rotterdam and Antwerp to address declining operational efficiency. Other shipping companies, like Mediterranean Shipping Co. (MSC), also reported longer transit times due to supply chain bottlenecks.

As of early June, 11 ships were anchored outside Rotterdam waiting for entry, with similar congestion in Hamburg and Antwerp. Average waiting times in Antwerp rose from 32 hours to 44 hours, while Hamburg faced delays of up to six days.

Several factors contribute to this congestion, including high demand for maritime transport, changes in shipping alliances, low water levels, and strikes. Analysts predict that these issues could persist until at least August 2025 unless market conditions stabilise.

Despite these challenges, Maersk reported a profit of $1.3 billion in the first quarter of 2025, significantly higher than previous periods. The company increased spending on ships and infrastructure to $1.4 billion, with CEO Vincent Clerc citing strong internal performance and favourable macroeconomic conditions.