Maersk has published its market situation report for the European market for February 2026, detailing the impact of severe winter weather conditions on maritime, land, and air operations on the continent, and confirms relevant changes in the configuration of its service network within the framework of the Gemini cooperation with Hapag-Lloyd.
In the maritime sector, Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd have announced a modification in the routing of service ME11, one of the shared services within the Gemini cooperation, which will transit through the Red Sea and the Suez Canal starting mid-February. In the westbound direction, the change was implemented starting from the vessel Albert Maersk, voyage 605W, departing from Mundra (India) on February 4. In the eastbound direction, the transition began with the Astrid Maersk, voyage 605E, which departed from Valencia on February 3. Both shipping companies have indicated that any further alteration in the services of the Gemini alliance will depend on the stability in the Red Sea area and the absence of an escalation in regional conflicts. Maersk has recommended its customers to review their risk mitigation strategies, contact their insurance providers, and verify that they have sufficient coverage for cargo transiting through the area.
The winter storms affecting the southwest and west of Europe have caused widespread disruptions in the maritime industry, with vessels seeking shelter and terminals forced to halt operations or work with reduced productivity. In the Bay of Biscay, vessel crossings have been intermittently interrupted and resumed depending on weather developments. Terminals in the western Mediterranean have also recorded operational stoppages. According to Maersk, the cascading effects of this situation continue to be felt across the continent, with delays in vessel arrivals and departures causing disruptions in operations in the western Mediterranean, northern Europe, and beyond.
In the area of new services, Maersk has launched a connection between Marina di Carrara (Italy) and Rades (Tunisia), with a transit time of 2 days and 7 hours. The shipping line states that this service aims to facilitate industrial and automotive production flows between the two countries, in line with the nearshoring trend observed in Europe.
Regarding land operations, the winter conditions with snow, ice, and low temperatures in northern Europe are affecting domestic transport networks. Road conditions are causing congestion and delays in road transport, while rail services are suffering interruptions and cancellations due to the freezing of track diversions. At the Port of Gdansk, restrictions on land access have reduced the container yard opening times from the usual 7 days prior to the estimated time of arrival of the vessel to just 5 days.
Maersk's report also includes changes in toll rates for trucks in several European countries. Denmark introduced last year a new circulation tax for trucks over 12 tons, while the Netherlands announced the introduction of a toll per kilometer for vehicles over 3.5 tons, effective from July 1, 2026, the amount of which will vary based on the vehicle's weight and its CO₂ emissions class. The final toll rates in the Netherlands are pending official publication.
In air transport, storms have also had repercussions on air cargo operations in Europe, with temporary runway closures, slowdowns in ground operations, and last-minute cancellations at key airports, including Frankfurt. Maersk notes that charter flight services have become an increasingly utilized tool to maintain the continuity of supply chains when scheduled networks are disrupted. In terms of demand, Europe accounted for most of the global air cargo transport growth, with a year-on-year increase of 18% in November.
On customs matters, the report highlights several relevant updates. The United Kingdom introduces a new voluntary quality standard (PAS41201) for customs brokers on February 9, and starting February 25, the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for drivers of heavy vehicles from 85 visa-exempt countries, including those from the European Union, will be mandatory. In the community context, the implementation of the ICS2 system is tightening with the automatic rejection of generic product descriptions starting in February. Additionally, three EU trade agreements with Mercosur, India, and Indonesia are progressing toward possible entry into force in 2026, which could lead to significant tariff reductions in sectors such as automotive, chemicals, textiles, pharmaceuticals, steel, machinery, and agricultural products.