European ports and logistics networks are grappling with increasing congestion amid a surge in exports from China, driven in part by heightened demand for cooling appliances during record summer heatwaves across the continent. As temperatures in parts of Europe soar above 40 degrees Celsius, exports from China to the European Union have risen sharply, intensifying pressures on both maritime and rail transport routes.
Chinese customs data show that exports to the EU grew 18.5% year-on-year in June, more than doubling the growth rate observed in May. Among the leading product categories, air conditioners saw a remarkable increase, with exports reaching a record $3.76 billion in the first half of 2026. Chinese authorities noted that global heatwaves have fueled demand not only for air conditioners but also for fans and refrigerators, with cooling appliances totaling nearly $15.94 billion in exports.
However, the rapid growth of trade flows has led to significant logistical challenges. At Rotterdam, Europe’s largest port, operators faced multiple temporary shutdowns in late June due to equipment overheating and concerns for worker safety amid extreme temperatures. Maersk, a global shipping company, confirmed that the heatwave caused stoppages that disrupted terminal productivity. Meanwhile, Antwerp, Europe’s second-largest container port, encountered delays caused by a pilots’ strike, resulting in multiple vessels queuing offshore and further contributing to regional congestion.
The intensified demand has also shifted freight patterns inland. Rail shipments from China to Europe, which typically take 15 to 20 days, have become an increasingly important alternative to slower sea routes, which can exceed 40 days. Chinese electrical appliance manufacturer Midea highlighted rail as a primary channel for transporting its portable air conditioners amid the heatwave. In Xinjiang, near the China-Kazakh border, the Horgos rail crossing reportedly dispatches up to 5,000 air conditioners daily during peak periods.
Despite rail’s shorter transit times, capacity constraints and imbalanced cargo flows pose difficulties. For every eight containers leaving China by rail, only one returns loaded, leaving substantial numbers of empty wagons and containers across borders and leading to bottlenecks at key hubs like Malaszewicze in Poland. Freight forwarders note that although rail operators advertise transit times as low as 15 days, actual shipments typically require closer to 30 days, factoring in customs clearance and border inspections.
Industry experts attribute the congestion to both the volume surge and structural limitations at key transshipment points. Hao Panfeng, secretary general of the China Container Industry Association, estimated that roughly half of the delays stem from increased cargo volumes, while infrastructure capacity and regulatory checks account for the remainder. Competing demands from sectors such as electric vehicles and e-commerce further compress available rail capacity.
Looking ahead, officials expect trade demand to remain robust through the third quarter, aligned with retailers’ preparations for the holiday season. Hao forecasted that total volumes this year could match or even exceed those of 2025, despite potential moderation in the fourth quarter. The challenges faced by European ports and rail corridors underline the complexities of managing rapidly expanding trade flows amid climate extremes and global supply chain disruptions.