Hamburg Container Terminal and Rail Access Grind to a Stop Amid Brutal Weather, Straining Just-In-Time Networks

It is not only passengers feeling the impact of Storm Elli: the Port of Hamburg suspended container handling on 9 January, citing high winds and iced-over cranes. Rail Market reports that rail access to the port’s terminals slowed to a trickle, with operators parking loaded trains as yard slots filled.

Combined transport services between Hamburg and inland hubs in Bavaria and the Czech Republic were cancelled, raising the prospect of parts shortages for automotive plants that rely on just-in-time deliveries. Freight forwarder DB Cargo is prioritising hazardous-material and perishable units once tracks reopen, meaning general cargo may face multi-day dwell times.

Logistics managers are dusting off contingency routings via Bremerhaven and Rotterdam, but capacity is limited by similar weather constraints in the North Sea range. Insurance underwriters warn that demurrage and delay claims could spike if vessels miss berthing windows.

The German Logistics Association (BVL) says the episode underscores the need for all-weather equipment upgrades at northern ports and better data-sharing between terminal operators and rail corridors. The federal government’s forthcoming Freight Transport Master Plan, due in March, now faces fresh calls to ring-fence climate-resilience funding.

Companies with time-critical cargo should instruct forwarders to file “force majeure” notices where contractual delivery times cannot be met and to monitor terminal status dashboards hourly.

Germany is bracing for heavy snowfall this weekend, leading to school closures and flight delays.

The German Weather Service DWD has forecast heavy snowstorms to hit the country overnight, particularly in eastern and central Germany, as well as between the northern cities of Bremen and Hamburg.

A DWD meteorologist described the weather as "extreme", with snow thicknesses expected to reach up to 20 centimeters in some parts of Germany.

While parts of Germany have been covered in snow and ice for days, the weather service warned that the coming "combination of wind and snow" could cause chaos and lead to traffic disruptions.

Storm "Elli" is expected to hit the country tomorrow, before losing strength and moving east towards the Czech Republic on Saturday.

The ruling Christian Democratic Party (CDU) canceled the first major party meeting of the year - due to worsening weather.

Around 350 participants, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and around 100 media representatives, were to gather at the two-day party conference in Mainz, outside Frankfurt.

Merz said the party leadership planned to hold the meeting online and adopt several resolutions

By: Oranews / Reporteri and VisaHQ