# Philippines: Hapag-Lloyd Suspends Bookings Due to Container Congestion **Category:** Operational Alerts | **Source:** Hapag-Lloyd | **Published:** 2026-10-06 | **Updated:** 2026-10-23 **Tags:** Philippinen, Manila, Hapag-Lloyd, Leercontainer, Containerstau, Truckerstreik, Zollbroker, Batangas, Subic Bay, Demurrage, Detention, Logistik News, Transport News, Fracht News, Speditions News, Supply Chain News, Zoll News, Frachtportal News, Seefracht, LKW Transport, Digitalisierung, Zoll > Brokers and truckers protest against empty container congestion. Hapag-Lloyd halts new bookings to Manila, Batangas, and Subic Bay through end of 2026. --- Empty containers are piling up in and around Manila's ports. Many boxes cannot be returned to the shipping lines or their depots in time after unloading. This ties up trucks and chassis. For new import orders, the vehicles are simply not available. Customs brokers and port truckers initiated a voluntary "Rest Day" on October 5, 2026. They were not to issue gate passes, book trucks, and avoid triggering shipments where possible. A further group followed on October 6 with a "Trucking Holiday." Participation is voluntary. The ports are therefore not officially closed, but pick-ups, deliveries, and customs clearances can run significantly slower. The dispute is not only about empty boxes. Shipping line fees, missing drivers, local driving restrictions, and the terminal booking system are also cited. According to the participating groups, individual empty containers wait for return options for up to several weeks. Hapag-Lloyd has responded to the situation and is no longer accepting new bookings to Manila, Batangas, and Subic Bay. The suspension applies to all ports of origin and trade routes and is currently set until December 31, 2026. Existing bookings are not automatically cancelled. The shipping line will contact affected customers if a booking needs to be modified or cancelled. For cargo already in transit, the situation remains problematic. Delays in pick-up can incur terminal storage charges. If the empty container cannot be returned later, detention costs threaten. Detention is the fee for excessive use of the container outside the terminal. Whether free days are extended or costs waived must be clarified in writing for each shipping line and booking. Anyone planning new shipments to the Philippines should not blindly book alternatives. Batangas and Subic Bay are also blocked with Hapag-Lloyd. --- First clarify with dispatch whether the shipping line is accepting new bookings at all. For ongoing imports, check pickup slots, empty container returns, and free days daily. Secure cost receipts and immediately report blocked returns in writing to the shipping line and depot. In short: The problem lies not only in the port, but throughout the entire cycle of pickup, unloading, and empty container returns. --- The voluntary "Rest Day" began on October 5, 2026. A further "Trucking Holiday" followed on October 6. Participation by customs brokers and truckers is voluntary. The main issue is severely restricted return options for empty containers. Hapag-Lloyd has suspended new bookings to Manila, Batangas, and Subic Bay. The booking suspension applies from all origins and across all trade lanes. The measure is currently set to remain in effect until December 31, 2026. Existing bookings are reviewed individually and are not automatically cancelled. For active cargo, storage fees as well as demurrage and detention charges may apply. ## Related Entities ### Countries - [Philippines](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/ph) ### Seaports - [Manila (PH MNL)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/manila-port-ph-mnl) - [Batangas City (PH BTG)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/batangas-city-port-ph-btg) - [Subic Bay (PH SFS)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/subic-bay-port-ph-sfs) ### Glossary - [Pickup](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/pickup) - [Booking](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/booking) - [Depot](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/depot) - [Port storage fee](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/port-storage-fee) - [Demurrage](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/demurrage-2) - [Detention](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/detention-2) - [Empty Container](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/empty-container-2) - [Gate Pass](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/gate-pass) - [Free Days](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/free-days) --- *Canonical URL: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/news/philippinen-hapag-lloyd-stoppt-buchungen-wegen-containerstau-20261006183251](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/news/philippinen-hapag-lloyd-stoppt-buchungen-wegen-containerstau-20261006183251)* *Markdown mirror: [https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/news/en/philippinen-hapag-lloyd-stoppt-buchungen-wegen-containerstau-20261006183251](https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/news/en/philippinen-hapag-lloyd-stoppt-buchungen-wegen-containerstau-20261006183251)*