Update to News from 7th July 2026
Rail operations in Germany are currently facing significant disruptions. Over the past days, the operating situation on parts of the national rail infrastructure has further deteriorated. In connection with the comprehensive renovation of the Hannover–Hamburg corridor, available diversion routes and remaining capacity are now heavily utilized. As a result, almost all services are affected by extended waiting times, longer transit times and temporary parking of trains along the route. In many cases, it is not possible to provide reliable forecasts for arrival and departure times.
Additional incidents are placing further strain on operational processes. The situation on the Main-Weser line is particularly critical, as this route currently serves as an additional bottleneck for north–south traffic. The restrictions observed there are causing further delays and are impacting the stability of multiple traffic relations across the entire rail network.
Due to these conditions, trains urgently required for scheduled loading are missing both in the northern and southern regions. Significant delays and train cancellations therefore cannot be avoided at present. Rail services are currently not arriving at inland terminals according to schedule.
Customers should also expect delayed arrivals of export trains bound for the seaports in northern Germany. As a consequence, adherence to delivery dates in import traffic, as well as compliance with vessel closing times in export traffic, cannot currently be guaranteed. Operational teams are continuously monitoring the situation and adjusting planning where possible, but substantial restrictions must be anticipated until the overall situation improves.
For further information or any questions, please contact your FMS representative. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
News | 7th July 2026
Rail freight services in the northern and central regions are currently severely disrupted and have largely come to a standstill. According to information provided by the operational control centers, multiple lines are affected, and regular train movements cannot be maintained at this time.
For the rail hub around Kassel, a controlled inbound management has been implemented. As a result, freight trains are being held back already at their points of departure, including services from major northern terminals. In several regional areas, trains have been parked on open track sections, further limiting network capacity and flexibility.
The situation is aggravated by reduced accessibility of the operational control centers and the central network control unit. This restricts the ability to coordinate flows and apply effective prioritization among different services. Operational decisions are therefore subject to delay, and short-term rescheduling options are limited.
Due to these circumstances, trains required for scheduled loading are missing both in the northern and southern regions. Significant delays and train cancellations are currently unavoidable. Inland terminals are not receiving trains according to timetable, and export trains heading to seaports in the north are also reaching their destinations later than planned.
Consequently, adherence to agreed delivery dates for import cargo and to vessel cut‑off times for export cargo cannot be ensured at present. Customers should expect ongoing impact on their rail-based supply chains until normal operations can be restored.
For further information or any questions, please contact your FMS representative. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
