Here’s an example of route changes now occurring due to disruptions and freight relocation. Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd are dropping Baltimore from their TA3 transatlantic container service, and adding Philadelphia.
The new rotation is Southampton – Rotterdam – Hamburg – Wilhelmshaven – Newark – Norfolk – Philadelphia – St. John – Southampton. The new schedule kicks off with the sailing of the Maersk Fredericia from Southampton Jan. 4.
The reason offered is the handicapped service at Baltimore due to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge in 2024, when the Dali ran into an abutment, collapsing the bridge. The rebuilding will take longer than anticipated. The bridge collapse has restricted access to some berths in the port of Baltimore. That has affected throughput at the port.
The article says:
For ocean carriers, calling Baltimore adds several days’ transit time compared to Norfolk, Va., and Philadelphia. Ships have to navigate 150 miles through the Chesapeake Bay, among the longest ship channels in the world, according to a 2019 study by Texas A&M University. The route also requires the services of multiple local pilots to guide vessels in, along with a separate docking pilot at the port.
Stuart Chirls Tuesday, December 16, 2025
Supply Chain and Logistics 