Rotterdam
MixedLOW CONGESTION
Europe's largest port and primary delivery point for ICE Brent crude. A benchmark for European natural gas and heating oil. Congestion often reflects sanctions-related rerouting, European energy stockpiling, or North Sea supply disruptions.
Live Vessel Traffic
Tradeable Assets
How each asset relates to congestion at this port
Stocks
ZIM Integrated Shipping
Trans-Atlantic container exposure · less direct than LA/LB but still correlated
$25.27
▲ 3.02%
Star Bulk Carriers
Dry bulk flows through Rotterdam for European industrial demand
$27.89
▲ 0.80%
Futures
WTI Crude (futures)
Rotterdam is a key storage hub — tanker queues signal European supply changes
$82.42
▼ 0.94%
Natural Gas (futures)
European gas storage flows directly through Rotterdam terminals
$2.79
▲ 0.80%
Heating Oil (futures)
Rotterdam is a primary delivery point — heating oil is a direct read-through
$4.15
▼ 2.40%
Current Snapshot
33
Total Vessels
20
Anchored
61%
Anchored %
2.8
Avg Dwell (hrs)
20 vessels anchored (61%)
Anchored vessels waiting to load exports — sustained elevation can signal production surplus or logistical constraint.
Energy Fundamentals
EIA weekly · spreads calculated liveUS Crude Stocks
424,410k
bbls
+17.4M
BUILD
US commercial crude stocks — build = bearish, draw = bullish
Cushing Stocks
22,566k
bbls
+1.6M
BUILD
WTI delivery hub — high stocks suppress futures price
Brent-WTI Spread
$5.83
BZ − CL
Widening = logistics stress or US supply glut. Normal range $1–$5.
3-2-1 Crack Spread
$56.33
Refinery margin / bbl
High = strong product demand, bullish for crude. Low = demand weakness.
Freight Fundamentals
Baltic Dry · shipping equities · liveBaltic Dry Index
—
global dry-bulk freight
Rising = tighter shipping capacity, bullish for carriers. Falling = slack freight demand.
Shipping Equities
+1.91%
2-name avg · today
The equity market's read on freight conditions. Congestion at this port can lead carrier earnings and freight rates, often over a 5–10 day horizon.
History
Congestion score · grey band = 7d normal range · Vessel count (dashed) · ZIM price (purple)
Lead-lag: over the last 30 days, Rotterdam congestion led ZIM by 4 days · r = -0.9 (strong inverse) · 9-day sample, directional not predictive
Port Throughput
47
Currently in port
153
Completed calls
2.8h
Avg dwell time
| Vessel | Class | Arrived | Departed | Dwell |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MISJE VITA | container | 2026-08-05 | 2026-08-05 | 2h |
| KINGSTON | unknown | 2026-08-05 | 2026-08-05 | 2h |
| VB SEAL | unknown | 2026-08-05 | 2026-08-05 | 2h |
| NEDSHIP | unknown | 2026-08-05 | 2026-08-05 | 2h |
| CAMARO V | unknown | 2026-08-05 | 2026-08-05 | 2h |
| STENA HOLLANDICA | unknown | 2026-08-05 | 2026-08-05 | 2h |
| HOLLANDSCH DIEP | passenger | 2026-08-05 | 2026-08-05 | 2h |
| ALESSIA | unknown | 2026-08-05 | 2026-08-05 | 2h |
| LIESBETH | unknown | 2026-08-05 | 2026-08-05 | 2h |
| MOONLIGHT | unknown | 2026-08-05 | 2026-08-05 | 2h |
Signal History
9d ago
Rotterdam Vessel Drop: Bearish freight
Rotterdam shows Vessel count 151 is 1.8σ below same-hour baseline (avg 184). This typically leads freight markets by 5-10 days, supporting a bearish read on ZIM (currently $26.07, +6.1% 5d).
Triggered By
Vessel count 151 is 1.8σ below same-hour baseline (avg 184)
Trade Idea
Short ZIM (currently $26.07, +6.1% 5d) while vessel count holds below 151 into the next poll; target a 1-2 weeks hold as port data typically leads freight by ~5-10 days.
Any prices referenced are as of the signal time (9d ago) — check the live tape before acting.
Entry
Vessel count holds below 151 into the next poll
Invalidation
vesselCount reverts toward baseline (184) within 48h, or ZIM rises above $26.85
Horizon
1-2 weeks
Affected Assets
ZIM
$25.27
▲ 3.02%
closed
SBLK
$27.89
▲ 0.80%
closed
BOAT
—
SEA
—
⚠ A broad risk-off move or an energy-policy shift could override this port-level signal.
Systematic signal · rule-based engine
10d ago
Rotterdam Congestion Spike: Bullish freight
Rotterdam shows Congestion score 69 is 2σ above same-hour baseline (avg 51). This typically leads freight markets by 5-10 days, supporting a bullish read on ZIM (currently $25.19, +1.2% 5d).
Triggered By
Congestion score 69 is 2σ above same-hour baseline (avg 51)
Trade Idea
Long ZIM (currently $25.19, +1.2% 5d) while congestion holds above 69 for 2+ consecutive polls; target a 1-2 weeks hold as port data typically leads freight by ~5-10 days.
Any prices referenced are as of the signal time (10d ago) — check the live tape before acting.
Entry
Congestion holds above 69 for 2+ consecutive polls
Invalidation
congestionScore reverts toward baseline (51) within 48h, or ZIM falls below $24.43
Horizon
1-2 weeks
Affected Assets
ZIM
$25.27
▲ 3.02%
closed
SBLK
$27.89
▲ 0.80%
closed
BOAT
—
SEA
—
⚠ A broad risk-off move or an energy-policy shift could override this port-level signal.
Systematic signal · rule-based engine
14d ago
Rotterdam Congestion Relief: Bearish freight
Rotterdam shows Congestion score 38 is 1.8σ below same-hour baseline (avg 52). This typically leads freight markets by 5-10 days, supporting a bearish read on ZIM (currently $24.03, -3.6% 5d).
Triggered By
Congestion score 38 is 1.8σ below same-hour baseline (avg 52)
Trade Idea
Short ZIM (currently $24.03, -3.6% 5d) while congestion holds below 38 for 2+ consecutive polls; target a 1-2 weeks hold as port data typically leads freight by ~5-10 days.
Any prices referenced are as of the signal time (14d ago) — check the live tape before acting.
Entry
Congestion holds below 38 for 2+ consecutive polls
Invalidation
congestionScore reverts toward baseline (52) within 48h, or ZIM rises above $24.75
Horizon
1-2 weeks
Affected Assets
ZIM
$25.27
▲ 3.02%
closed
SBLK
$27.89
▲ 0.80%
closed
BOAT
—
SEA
—
⚠ A broad risk-off move or an energy-policy shift could override this port-level signal.
Systematic signal · rule-based engine
16d ago
Rotterdam Congestion Relief: Bearish freight
Rotterdam shows Congestion score 40 is 2.2σ below same-hour baseline (avg 55). This typically leads freight markets by 5-10 days, supporting a bearish read on ZIM (currently $24.9, +2.5% 5d).
Triggered By
Congestion score 40 is 2.2σ below same-hour baseline (avg 55)
Trade Idea
Short ZIM (currently $24.9, +2.5% 5d) while congestion holds below 40 for 2+ consecutive polls; target a 1-2 weeks hold as port data typically leads freight by ~5-10 days.
Any prices referenced are as of the signal time (16d ago) — check the live tape before acting.
Entry
Congestion holds below 40 for 2+ consecutive polls
Invalidation
congestionScore reverts toward baseline (55) within 48h, or ZIM rises above $25.65
Horizon
1-2 weeks
Affected Assets
ZIM
$25.27
▲ 3.02%
closed
SBLK
$27.89
▲ 0.80%
closed
BOAT
—
SEA
—
⚠ A broad risk-off move or an energy-policy shift could override this port-level signal.
Systematic signal · rule-based engine
18d ago
Rotterdam Congestion Spike: Bullish freight
Rotterdam shows Congestion score 63 is 2.3σ above same-hour baseline (avg 53). This typically leads freight markets by 5-10 days, supporting a bullish read on ZIM (currently $24.9, +2.5% 5d).
Triggered By
Congestion score 63 is 2.3σ above same-hour baseline (avg 53)
Trade Idea
Long ZIM (currently $24.9, +2.5% 5d) while congestion holds above 63 for 2+ consecutive polls; target a 1-2 weeks hold as port data typically leads freight by ~5-10 days.
Any prices referenced are as of the signal time (18d ago) — check the live tape before acting.
Entry
Congestion holds above 63 for 2+ consecutive polls
Invalidation
congestionScore reverts toward baseline (53) within 48h, or ZIM falls below $24.15
Horizon
1-2 weeks
Affected Assets
ZIM
$25.27
▲ 3.02%
closed
SBLK
$27.89
▲ 0.80%
closed
BOAT
—
SEA
—
⚠ A broad risk-off move or an energy-policy shift could override this port-level signal.
Systematic signal · rule-based engine
20d ago
Rotterdam Congestion Relief: Bearish freight
Rotterdam shows Congestion score 0 is 1.9σ below same-hour baseline (avg 45). This typically leads freight markets by 5-10 days, supporting a bearish read on ZIM (currently $25.07, +2.3% 5d).
Triggered By
Congestion score 0 is 1.9σ below same-hour baseline (avg 45)
Trade Idea
Short ZIM (currently $25.07, +2.3% 5d) while congestion holds below 0 for 2+ consecutive polls; target a 1-2 weeks hold as port data typically leads freight by ~5-10 days.
Any prices referenced are as of the signal time (20d ago) — check the live tape before acting.
Entry
Congestion holds below 0 for 2+ consecutive polls
Invalidation
congestionScore reverts toward baseline (45) within 48h, or ZIM rises above $25.82
Horizon
1-2 weeks
Affected Assets
ZIM
$25.27
▲ 3.02%
closed
SBLK
$27.89
▲ 0.80%
closed
BOAT
—
SEA
—
⚠ A broad risk-off move or an energy-policy shift could override this port-level signal.
Systematic signal · rule-based engine
25d ago
Rotterdam Congestion Spike: Bullish freight
Rotterdam shows Congestion score 55 is 1.9σ above same-hour baseline (avg 36). This typically leads freight markets by 5-10 days, supporting a bullish read on ZIM (currently $24.3, +1.4% 5d).
Triggered By
Congestion score 55 is 1.9σ above same-hour baseline (avg 36)
Trade Idea
Long ZIM (currently $24.3, +1.4% 5d) while congestion holds above 55 for 2+ consecutive polls; target a 1-2 weeks hold as port data typically leads freight by ~5-10 days.
Any prices referenced are as of the signal time (25d ago) — check the live tape before acting.
Entry
Congestion holds above 55 for 2+ consecutive polls
Invalidation
congestionScore reverts toward baseline (36) within 48h, or ZIM falls below $23.57
Horizon
1-2 weeks
Affected Assets
ZIM
$25.27
▲ 3.02%
closed
SBLK
$27.89
▲ 0.80%
closed
BOAT
—
SEA
—
⚠ A broad risk-off move or an energy-policy shift could override this port-level signal.
Systematic signal · rule-based engine
26d ago
Rotterdam Vessel Drop: Bearish freight
Rotterdam shows Vessel count 138 is 2σ below same-hour baseline (avg 163). This typically leads freight markets by 5-10 days, supporting a bearish read on ZIM (currently $24.27, +1.3% 5d).
Triggered By
Vessel count 138 is 2σ below same-hour baseline (avg 163)
Trade Idea
Short ZIM (currently $24.27, +1.3% 5d) while vessel count holds below 138 into the next poll; target a 1-2 weeks hold as port data typically leads freight by ~5-10 days.
Any prices referenced are as of the signal time (26d ago) — check the live tape before acting.
Entry
Vessel count holds below 138 into the next poll
Invalidation
vesselCount reverts toward baseline (163) within 48h, or ZIM rises above $25
Horizon
1-2 weeks
Affected Assets
ZIM
$25.27
▲ 3.02%
closed
SBLK
$27.89
▲ 0.80%
closed
BOAT
—
SEA
—
⚠ A broad risk-off move or an energy-policy shift could override this port-level signal.
Systematic signal · rule-based engine
28d ago
Rotterdam Congestion Spike: Bullish freight
Rotterdam shows Congestion score 66 is 2.7σ above same-hour baseline (avg 37). This typically leads freight markets by 5-10 days, supporting a bullish read on ZIM (currently $24.8, +0.8% 5d).
Triggered By
Congestion score 66 is 2.7σ above same-hour baseline (avg 37)
Trade Idea
Long ZIM (currently $24.8, +0.8% 5d) while congestion holds above 66 for 2+ consecutive polls; target a 1-2 weeks hold as port data typically leads freight by ~5-10 days.
Any prices referenced are as of the signal time (28d ago) — check the live tape before acting.
Entry
Congestion holds above 66 for 2+ consecutive polls
Invalidation
congestionScore reverts toward baseline (37) within 48h, or ZIM falls below $24.06
Horizon
1-2 weeks
Affected Assets
ZIM
$25.27
▲ 3.02%
closed
SBLK
$27.89
▲ 0.80%
closed
BOAT
—
SEA
—
⚠ A broad risk-off move or an energy-policy shift could override this port-level signal.
Systematic signal · rule-based engine
About Rotterdam
Why does Rotterdam port congestion matter for traders?
Europe's largest port and primary delivery point for ICE Brent crude. A benchmark for European natural gas and heating oil. Congestion often reflects sanctions-related rerouting, European energy stockpiling, or North Sea supply disruptions.
Which stocks, futures, and ETFs are correlated with Rotterdam?
HarborSignal tracks ZIM, SBLK, CL, NG, HO against Rotterdam vessel activity. Port flows tend to lead these markets by roughly 5–10 days.
How is Rotterdam congestion measured?
Vessel positions are collected hourly from AIS transponder data. A congestion score is derived from vessel count and the anchored ratio, then z-scored against a 30-day same-hour baseline to flag anomalies.