Mailboxes routinely go unchecked for prolonged periods, causing substantial annoyance - Prolonged mail delivery issues frequently leave mailboxes devoid of mail for extended periods
In the heart of northern Germany, the states of Schleswig-Holstein are grappling with a significant issue - delays in the delivery of letters and parcels. Cities such as Lübeck, Kiel, and Itzehoe are experiencing these problems, which stem from a severe driver shortage in the transport sector.
According to reports, up to 20% of trucks are currently at a standstill due to the lack of drivers, causing delays across supermarkets, discounters, forwarding companies, and construction sites [1]. This shortage disrupts the entire supply chain, leading to postponed orders and bottlenecks in material supply, which in turn impacts the economy and prolongs construction projects.
The Federal Network Agency, the regulatory authority for electricity, gas, telecommunications, post, and railways, has confirmed a significant increase in complaints for Lübeck [2]. An investigation has been initiated for Itzehoe. The "Kieler Nachrichten" previously reported on the current problems in the state capital, Lübeck.
Deutsche Post AG, the German postal service, has been called upon to explain the reasons for the quality defects and outline the measures it has taken to rectify them. Postal customers in these areas are reporting having to wait weeks for announced mail.
The German government is taking steps to address this crisis. They are investing €400 million to modernize ports and shipping infrastructure in coastal states like Schleswig-Holstein, aiming to improve climate-friendly freight transport options and increase resilience [2]. This includes funding for port modernization, land-based power supply for ships, alternative fuel storage, and promoting climate-neutral shipping lanes, which could indirectly ease logistical pressures in the long term.
Transport companies are also taking action, recruiting drivers domestically and internationally, and launching campaigns aimed at attracting young people to the profession [1]. However, specific measures for Lübeck or Itzehoe were not mentioned in the available information.
As of mid-2025, these delivery issues persist, as highlighted by reports from July 2025 showing acute driver shortages and related delays [1]. The causes include not only the transport sector staff shortages and complexity in logistics but also the impacts of the energy transition on shipping infrastructure.
In summary, the delivery delays in Schleswig-Holstein are primarily due to a driver shortage in the transport sector, the complexity of logistics, and the impacts of the energy transition on shipping infrastructure. The German government and transport companies are taking steps to address these issues, including investing in port and shipping modernization, recruiting drivers, and promoting climate-friendly freight transport options. No specific local measures were mentioned for Lübeck or Itzehoe, but these cities, being part of Schleswig-Holstein’s coastal zone, presumably face similar transport and supply chain challenges due to the nationwide driver shortage and ongoing economic transitions in shipping and transport infrastructure.
[1] [Source 1] [2] [Source 2]
In light of the ongoing driver shortage in the transport sector, the community and employment policies could potentially be adjusted to attract more individuals to this profession, addressing the root cause of the delivery delays in Schleswig-Holstein. Given the significance of health-and-wellness in attracting a younger workforce, incorporating wellness programs within employment policies could further entice potential drivers.
As the German government invests in modernizing ports and shipping infrastructure to improve climate-friendly freight transport options, implementing science-based strategies in these modernization efforts could lead to more efficient and sustainable shipping methods, thus reducing bottlenecks and delays over time.
