Central Europe: Infrastructure Failures and Weather Conditions Continue to Cause Significant Disruptions to International Transport

Damage to the rail network, exceptional weather conditions, and several simultaneous infrastructure disruptions continue to cause significant disturbances to international transport operations across Central Europe.

The situation is particularly challenging for traffic to and from Italy. In addition to the previously reported disruptions, an incident involving a train carrying hazardous materials in the Brenner Pass area has further complicated rail traffic between Germany and Italy.

Furthermore, the Central European transport network is currently facing several other major disruption points:

• A rail line closure between Kassel, Gießen, and Aschaffenburg in Germany has caused significant congestion in north–south freight traffic.
• The Leipzig railway hub has been temporarily closed due to track works initiated at short notice, resulting in train cancellations.
• Severe weather events, including lightning-related damage in Nickelsdorf, Austria, have caused additional disruptions, particularly affecting connections to Eastern Europe.

As a result of these disruptions, the international transport network is currently experiencing extensive delays, rerouting, and train cancellations. Key terminals are congested, and transport capacity is extremely limited in certain areas. Consequently, reliable transit time commitments cannot currently be provided for shipments to and from Italy, as well as for certain other transport corridors in Central and Eastern Europe. In addition, temporary acceptance restrictions may be in place at some terminals.

DHL Freight is actively implementing measures to mitigate the impact of the disruptions and secure transport capacity wherever possible. Customers will be informed separately, in accordance with normal procedures, of any delays, cancellations, or other deviations affecting individual shipments.

Customers are encouraged to take this exceptional situation into account when planning their supply chains, particularly for traffic involving Italy and shipments transiting through Central Europe.

We will provide updates as the situation develops.

For more information regarding your shipments, please contact DHL Freight Customer Service or visit the MyDHLFreight portal.