European ports increasingly congested by Chinese electric cars
The European logistics sector is facing an unprecedented crisis, with the continent’s ports having turned into veritable car parks. This is what emerges from an alarm launched by the Financial Times.
According to what was reported by the British newspaper, manufacturers and distributors, especially those from China, are abandoning cars in the car parks of port terminals due to various factors, including the slowdown in electric vehicle sales and various logistical complications. This situation is particularly critical in China, where some manufacturers, disappointed by sales below expectations, have left their cars in port terminals for more than 18 months.
The use of ports as car parks by distributors has become increasingly widespread, with cars being stored in terminals rather than being distributed to dealers. This has led to further congestion at port terminals, which are already under severe pressure. For example, the port of Antwerp-Bruges has seen a significant increase in cars parked in its terminals.
Port authorities are trying to address this situation by requiring importers to provide detailed documentation on their transport plans outside the ports. However, despite the efforts, the problem looks set to get worse, with industry experts openly speaking of “chaos”.
Furthermore, delays and congestion do not only concern port terminals, but also involve transporters and distributors. With rising exports from China to Europe and the prospect of customs duties, many Chinese builders are trying to get ahead of possible trade restrictions, further increasing pressure on European port terminals.
However, managing these transports proved problematic for many Chinese manufacturers, who found themselves unprepared to deal with the complexity of European logistics operations. The lack of dedicated organizational structures and the difficulties in finding distributors capable of guaranteeing a regular service have contributed to worsening the situation. Furthermore, the scarcity of available trucks represents a further obstacle, with many operators preferring to accept orders only from established companies capable of guaranteeing a constant volume of transports.