Maersk has warned that weather conditions registered during the last weeks in Asia-Pacific continue to cause disruptions in the supply chains connecting Asia with Europe, with modifications in maritime routes, port congestion, and capacity limitations. The company also identifies operational incidents at certain facilities in Northern Europe and maintains an alternative rail transport service at the Port of Valencia due to the works affecting its land connections.
The update corresponding to October 2026, published by the Danish group on October 7, outlines the situation of the main European logistics corridors and the measures taken to manage maritime, rail, air transport operations and customs procedures.
According to Maersk, the effects of seasonal weather phenomena in Asia-Pacific continue to be felt on trade routes with Europe, although a gradual recovery of ship circulation and the operation of affected port terminals is underway.
The shipping company notes that changes in schedules, capacity restrictions, and accumulated congestion continue to affect certain operations, so it maintains coordination measures with its customers to adjust the planning of shipments.
These circumstances are compounded by the end of China's Golden Week, whose holiday period ended on October 7. The resumption of industrial activity in the Asian country represents a new phase of adjustment for logistics chains, as factories recover their usual production levels and the volumes of goods progressively return to international transport circuits.
Maersk recommends that companies review their inventories, confirm cargo forecasts, and reserve capacity in advance, especially for shipments linked to commercial demand in the last months of the year.
In the ports of Northern Europe, the company describes a generally stable operational situation, although it identifies recent incidents related to the handling of refrigerated goods in Rotterdam. These disruptions have affected the management of cargo requiring temperature control, in a context of high volumes of fresh and frozen products.
The shipping company advises operators using refrigerated containers to coordinate their land transport in advance and to monitor the situation of the goods to organize their collection and distribution.
In the Baltic region, Maersk is also making adjustments to its service network and evaluating the operation of terminals. These actions may lead to specific modifications in the schedules of vessels operating in the Baltic corridors and Northern Europe.
In Spain, one of the main incidents reported in the report affects the railway transport of goods from the Port of Valencia. The infrastructure works taking place in the port area have caused disruptions in railway services since September 25, with an initially anticipated duration until November 7, 2026.
To maintain logistical connections during this period, Maersk has established an alternative service using the intermodal rail terminal in Silla, located about 20 kilometers from the port.
The system involves the transfer of containers by truck between the Valencian port facilities and the Silla terminal, where the loading and unloading operations of rail services for certain deliveries are carried out.
According to the operational communication previously published by the company, this complementary transport between the port and Silla incurs an additional cost of 140 euros per container. Maersk also maintains the option to use direct road transport as an alternative.
The company warns that this reorganization may increase the complexity of inland transport operations and recommends that customers using Valencia rail services coordinate their capacity needs during the construction period.
The monthly update also addresses regulatory changes affecting international trade with the European Union. Among them is the reform of the Union Customs Code, published in September, which includes the creation of a European Customs Authority and a common data platform for import and export operations.
The new system will progressively introduce digital customs management procedures, risk analysis mechanisms, and greater coordination among the administrations of the Member States. The reform also incorporates the figure of trusted operators Trust and Check, who may benefit from certain simplifications in complying with customs obligations.
Its implementation will be developed in different phases until 2034, when the mandatory use of the European customs data platform by all affected operators is expected.
Maersk also refers to the elimination, since last July, of the tariff exemption for e-commerce shipments valued below 150 euros from third countries. This modification has introduced new obligations for companies marketing products through digital platforms.
Regarding environmental matters, the company outlines the changes introduced by the European Commission in the scope of the Regulation on deforestation-free products (EUDR). The update modifies the list of goods subject to this regulation, excludes certain categories, and incorporates others, such as soluble coffee and some palm oil derivatives.
The newly incorporated products will be subject to the corresponding obligations starting December 30, 2027.
The shipping company also mentions the review of the European list of dual-use products, which affects certain goods and technologies applicable for civilian and military uses, including equipment related to semiconductor manufacturing and computer components.
Finally, in the air transportation of goods, Maersk identifies sustained demand in international corridors, particularly in connections between Asia and Europe. The company links this activity to the transport of semiconductors, servers, and equipment destined for data centers and artificial intelligence infrastructures.
According to its analysis, the demand for these products is affecting the availability of air capacity on certain routes, while European companies are reviewing their storage and distribution models in light of the changes recorded in e-commerce and import procedures.
