Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,
as a matter of routine, we would like to provide you with an overview of current and upcoming events within our rail operations. This includes information from the area of the network operator as well as information from the environment of the connected seaport terminals.
- As we previously mentioned in our newsletters, the “Hamburg/Hanover Quality Initiative” and the extension of the Hamburg–Berlin track renewal project are causing significant delays across the entire network. The detour routes remain heavily congested.
- Since 5:00 a.m. on May 20, 2026, the situation has worsened to such an extent that rail traffic in the North and Central regional areas has come to a near standstill. Trains bound for Hamburg and/or Bremerhaven are being denied departure from southern terminals, such as Munich. Cross-border services are being halted after crossing the border into Germany. The reasons include: track misalignment, overhead line damage, damage to the railway embankment superstructure, a switch malfunction, and a passenger accident. The disruption is not expected to be resolved until noon on May 23, 2026.
- These delays will continue to affect our operations through the end of next week. Some trains will be canceled.
- Due to the delays, we will no longer be able to meet the standard slots at the seaport terminals. As a result, some of the planned moves will no longer be available. Unfortunately, HHLA Terminals will not accept any additional moves.
- Dispositive inflow control has been in effect in Hamburg since March 10, 2026. Trains are sometimes denied entry into the Hamburg rail network.
- Dispositive inflow control has also been in effect in Bremerhaven since May 10, 2026.
Due to the circumstances, delays continue to occur at the seaport and inland terminals. These delays have a significant impact on the stability and punctuality of our network. We are making daily efforts to minimize the impact on your bookings as much as possible. Our scheduling department will continue to inform you of any affected bookings on a case-by-case basis. In order to avoid incorrect tours, please check the availability of the loading units before acceptance inland or at the seaport and take our advice notes and order-related information into account.
- Long-term construction work between Nuremberg – Regensburg – Passau from February 6, 2026 to December 15, 2026. During this period, there will be two different diversions with adjusted train lengths:
- February 6 – June 12 -> 620 m via Landshut / Plattling -> 23 cars
- June 12 – July 11 -> 590 m via Salzburg -> 22 cars
- July 12 – September 16 -> 620 m via Landshut/Plattling -> 23 cars
- September 16 – timetable change -> 590 m via Salzburg -> 22 cars
- Due to the longer distance and increased utilization of the alternative routes, delays are to be expected. Further restrictions cannot yet be fully predicted. We will inform you separately about these. This mainly affects our services to Hungary.
For the area of seaport terminals, we would like to point out that your cooperation as a potential terminal customer is also urgently desired.
With regard to deadlines, please refer to our General Terms and Conditions. Delivery deadlines or fixed dates cannot be guaranteed. These presuppose unhindered transport conditions on rail and road.
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