Congestion at Mediterranean Ports Grows as Peak Container Volumes Hit

By Maria Kalamatas | July 24, 2025

Section: International / Maritime & Port Operations

Valencia, July 24 — Mediterranean container terminals are operating at near full capacity as import surges from Asia and transshipment flows to Africa and northern Europe converge, creating extended wait times for vessels and cargo handling delays.

“Berth windows are shrinking by the day, and yard space is nearly maxed out,” said Javier Ortega, terminal director at the Port of Valencia. “We’re running additional shifts, but volumes keep climbing.”

Seasonal and structural demand

Retailers rushing to build inventories for late summer and early autumn sales, combined with increased feeder traffic from Asia, are straining port infrastructure from Spain to Greece. Some hubs are reporting dwell times exceeding three days for loaded containers.

“This is the heaviest July we’ve seen since before the pandemic,” Ortega noted. “It’s not just peak season — it’s sustained growth.”

Shippers seek alternatives

Carriers are rerouting vessels to secondary ports in Portugal and southern France, while some freight forwarders are shifting inland moves to rail to bypass bottlenecks.

“Reliability is the priority for our clients, even if it adds transit time,” said Sofia Manos, a Greek-based freight consultant. “Delays at primary hubs cost more than longer routes.”

Looking ahead

Port operators warn that congestion could persist through August unless additional storage and handling capacity is brought online quickly, as pre-holiday shipping intensifies.

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