Barges started facing delays at Rotterdam World Gateway Terminal in March. Inland barges continue to face long delays at Rotterdam World Gateway (RWG) Terminal as the recently launched ocean carrier alliances introduce new services at Europe’s largest container hub.

Contargo, a leading German barge and rail operator that transports containers to and from Rotterdam’s hinterland, had told customers the week-long loading and unloading delays were likely to conclude by the end of May.

But the Duisburg-based company this week said “an improvement … is not yet in sight.”

“Unfortunately, we do not expect any great change in the situation in the coming two weeks.”

“Assigning of processing slots more than seven days after arrival of barges in the seaport still has to be expected. Together with the terminal operators we are endeavoring to speed up both the delivery of export containers and the taking over of import containers.”

Contargo said it can no longer guarantee keeping to deadlines at the RWG Terminal nor could it rule out passing on the extra costs for the delivery of containers.

Barges faced delays in March, which Contargo blamed on capacity bottlenecks caused by rising export shipments and delays in the arrivals of container ships.

Read more here.