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German companies are increasingly facing uncertainty in their economic relations with the United States. This is evidenced by the results of the “Going International 2026” study conducted by the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK), which surveyed nearly 2,400 companies operating internationally. According to the survey, 67% of companies cite trade and political uncertainty as the main challenge in working with the US market. Other key factors include rising customs and bureaucratic costs (54%), financial market instability and currency risks (48%), the possible introduction of a 15% basic tariff (44%), and US export restrictions and sanctions affecting third countries (41%).

The Port of Rotterdam is seeing significant changes in the structure of global container trade by the end of 2025. According to data from the Port Authority and analysis presented in the Container Market Outlook 2026 report, container imports continue to grow, while exports remain weak, exacerbating the imbalance in the shipping system. Despite growing geopolitical and logistical challenges, Rotterdam maintains its status as Europe’s largest container hub. As Frank van der Laan, Senior Advisor for Business Analytics at the Port Authority, noted, these changes are already impacting cargo volumes, the structure of trade flows, and the functioning of the port system.

DP World has begun handling cargo on a new intermodal rail route connecting the company’s terminal in Novi Sad with its logistics hub in Herne, located in the Rhine-Ruhr industrial region. The service, operated by Austrian transport company LKW Walter, offers three departures per week. The journey time is approximately 45 hours, making it faster than traditional long-distance road transport and reducing carbon emissions by up to 80%. The Novi Sad terminal is the first in Serbia to offer regular intermodal rail service to Western Europe.

FHP Intermodal (CFI) will launch a twice-weekly intermodal rail service linking northern Italy with Bari and Catania from 9 March 2026.

On July 1, 2026, changes to road toll legislation in the Netherlands will come into effect: a new distance-based toll system will be introduced for trucks over 3.5 tonnes. This reform will abandon the current Eurovignette system and align with the pan-European trend toward models that take into account road usage, emissions, and the sustainability of transport infrastructure.

Representatives of Hamburg’s port and maritime industry, as part of an official delegation from the Senate of the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg, visited India, where they held a series of meetings with partners in Chennai, Mumbai, and New Delhi. The main goal of the visit was to develop dialogue and expand cooperation in port logistics and maritime transport. The delegation was led by Dr. Melanie Leonhard, Senator for Economic Affairs, Labor, and Innovation in Hamburg. Also participating were Jens Meyer, CEO of the Hamburg Port Authority and President of the International Association of Ports and Harbors; Hendrik Meyn, Head of Port of Hamburg Marketing; and representatives of the maritime industry.