2% of the world's transportation capacity is trapped in the North Sea, and the number of container ships in the Red Sea has also been reduced by about 20% compared with normal conditions. The strike and the surge in import volume have led to the recurrence of congestion in ports during the epidemic blockade.

Last month, the port of Rotterdam, the largest port in Europe, was in an emergency. The situation of a large number of empty containers overstocked in the port had made many people in the European shipping industry deeply anxious. The latest report released this week by the World Economic Research Institute in Kiel (IFW), Germany, also further revealed how serious the historical congestion of North Sea ports is.

The report shows that last month, more than 2% of the world's transportation capacity was at a standstill in the North Sea, which is a "very rare" situation for ports there. At present, there is no end to container transportation congestion, and port congestion in other regions is also intensifying. Due to the unusually long-term congestion, these ships are unable to load and unload goods. The disturbing phenomenon reminds people that although the epidemic blockade has become a distant memory, the supply chain is still seriously blocked. This may have an impact on future trade and transportation.

Vincent stamer, research director of the World Economic Research Institute in IFW, Germany, said, "overall, Global trade showed a slightly positive trend in June, but congestion, high freight costs and the resulting export bottlenecks hindered trade, especially trade with Europe."

Vincent stamer also pointed out that shipping congestion was very rare in the North Sea region in the past. For Germany and the European Union, this will mainly affect overseas trade, especially trade with Asia. For example, consumer electronics, furniture or textiles shipped from Asia.

Due to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine and the blockade of the epidemic, the global shipping market has been in chaos. For months, logistics companies have been struggling for container transportation plans. Due to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, container transportation has fallen into chaos. When the import of coal and liquefied natural gas in European countries surged, the congestion was further aggravated, which showed that the port infrastructure was unable to bear the surge in transportation volume.

Last month, with the increasing backlog of undelivered goods in Rotterdam port, shipping companies were forced to give priority to shipping containers full of goods. Empty containers, which are crucial for Asian exporters, are being trapped in this largest export hub port in Europe.

The Kiel Institute of world economics report pointed out that to complicate the situation, the number of container ships passing on the red sea route (the most important trade route between Europe and Asia) was also about 20% less than expected under normal circumstances. The last time there was such a large gap, it can be traced back to the beginning of the outbreak two years ago.

Vincent stamer said, "a decisive factor may be that the negative impact of the epidemic still exists due to the 40 day voyage from China to Europe. The congestion of container ships in the North Sea and the increasingly important railway transportation due to the new the Belt and Road initiative may reduce the shipping volume of the red sea route."

It is not a good thing for the troubled European economy at present. According to the latest trade data from the Kiel Institute for world economics, the global trade index in June increased by 0.4% compared with the previous month, but the performance of Europe was the weakest. The overall export of the EU has declined (-0.5%), and the import growth rate is also small (+ 0.8%). In contrast, the import and export of the United States and China showed strong growth.

Dirk jandura, chairman of the Federal Association of foreign trade and wholesalers (BGA), said earlier this week, "although German foreign trade continues to remain strong in the crisis, the prospect is not optimistic."