European Cold Storage Networks Hit Capacity as Seafood Exports Surge

By Maria Kalamatas | July 24, 2025

Section: International / Logistics & Cold Chain

Rotterdam, July 24 — Cold storage facilities across northern Europe are nearing full capacity as exports of salmon, shellfish, and frozen whitefish surge, driven by seasonal harvests and growing demand from Asian and Middle Eastern markets.

“Our occupancy is hovering around 97 percent in several hubs,” said Johan de Vries, regional director at NorthSea Cold Logistics. “We’re turning cargo around quickly, but space is at a premium.”

Demand outpaces available space

Shipments from Scandinavia and northern Europe have risen nearly 20 percent compared with July last year, fueled by retail buyers stocking ahead of late summer festivals and restaurant demand abroad.

“This isn’t a one-week spike,” de Vries explained. “Volumes have been climbing steadily since early July, and every major cold store is feeling it.”

Rising costs for exporters

Some shippers are paying premiums for guaranteed storage slots or leasing temporary refrigerated containers to ensure their shipments make sailings. Others are fast-tracking cargo through ports to avoid demurrage charges.

“Delays aren’t an option in this trade,” said Anneke Visser, a seafood exporter based in the Netherlands. “We’ll pay more to keep supply lines moving.”

Looking ahead

Shipping lines are adding reefer containers and direct calls to Asian destinations, but analysts caution that another surge in August could push cold chain networks beyond their current limits.

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