From congestion to AI and safer fuels, how Europe’s maritime industry Is adapting to global challenges
Europe’s port crisis: Delays stretch supply chains to the limit
European ports are under severe strain, with delays expected to last for months due to a combination of rising Asian import volumes, U.S. tariff impacts, low Rhine river levels, and rail disruptions in Germany. Rotterdam, Antwerp, and Hamburg are among the hardest hit, with vessels unloading up to five days late. A rail shutdown at Hamburg Waltershof from 4–8 July has left nearly 30,000 containers stranded. In the UK, London Gateway is facing significant congestion, with trucks waiting up to 12 hours and hauliers forced to cancel jobs. Industry leaders describe the situation as the worst since the pandemic and warn that without major investment in capacity, these issues could persist for years as global trade patterns continue to shift.
Spain launches AI platform to modernise ports
The Spanish Transport Association (AET) has introduced a new initiative – the AI Platform for Ports (PIAP) – designed to bring artificial intelligence and digital tools into the heart of port logistics.
Born from collaboration between AET’s Ports and Digital Transformation Working Groups, the platform is all about making ports smarter, more efficient, and more sustainable – not just in Spain, but across Europe and globally.
PIAP acts as an open, public space where cutting-edge tech solutions relevant to ports are gathered, assessed, and shared. It aims to support projects that apply AI in practical ways, help test what works and what scales, and offer expert recommendations. It also provides training and trial runs of new technologies in real-world settings.
Leading the project are Jaime Seijas (Puertos del Estado), Néstor Castanedo, and Alejandra Gómez, who’ve worked to ensure the platform responds to what the port sector actually needs. An expert Advisory Board helps keep the platform aligned with industry trends and challenges.
In other port news, the Port of Barcelona handled over 721,000 full containers in the first half of 2025 – up 10% from last year. Exports rose sharply, especially to Asia.
Making ammonia safer at sea: ABS leads with people-focused innovation
As the shipping industry moves towards cleaner fuels, ammonia is gaining ground thanks to its zero-carbon emissions. But it's not without risk. Ammonia is toxic and corrosive, and handling it safely at sea requires a fresh approach.
ABS is stepping up to the challenge by combining proven safety methods with new technology. They're using tools like Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to simulate how ammonia behaves in real-world situations—such as a leak in an engine room or during refuelling. This helps crews and engineers prepare better responses before the ship is even built.
But what sets ABS apart is their focus on people. They've developed advanced simulations that model how real crew members might act during an emergency—taking into account stress, decision-making, and how people actually move in high-pressure situations. These human-focused tools help design safer ships and more effective emergency plans.
By grounding innovation in real-world behaviour and combining it with smart technology, ABS is helping to make ammonia a safer, more practical fuel for the future of shipping—protecting both lives and the environment.
Sources:
https://www.porttechnology.org/news/spanish-transport-association-launches-new-ai-port-platform/
https://maritime-executive.com/editorials/abs-supports-ammonia-safety-through-a-comprehensive-approach
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/beyond-headlines-iamovers-pnu0e/