News | Current rail freight disruptions in Northern and Central German regions

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.