Low water levels are disrupting inland container transport in Germany and the Netherlands, prompting Maersk to introduce alternative routings and temporary surcharges across several barge corridors.
On the Rhine, rapidly declining water levels have prevented barges from calling at Andernach Inland Terminal, according to an advisory issued by Maersk on 7 August. Containers originally scheduled to move through Andernach may instead be discharged at alternative locations and transported onward by other arrangements.
Maersk has introduced a temporary contingency surcharge of €625 per container for both imports and exports moving via Andernach. The measure applies to inland origins and destinations served through the terminal, including Polch and Eberhahn, and will remain in place until regular barge operations can resume.
The contingency charge is separate from Maersk’s existing Low Water Surcharge, which continues to apply according to the carrier’s published methodology.
Conditions are also affecting inland navigation in the Netherlands. Dutch authorities have temporarily closed the Twentekanaal because of drought, disrupting barge services to and from Hengelo and Almelo.
Maersk has established an alternative routing through Nijmegen Inland Terminal for affected traffic. A temporary surcharge of €178 per container applies to imports and exports using Hengelo and Almelo until the canal reopens and normal barge services are restored.
In a separate advisory, the carrier introduced a broader Low Water Surcharge for selected Dutch inland terminals following continued declines in water levels and increasing navigation restrictions.
For Hengelo, Almelo, Nijmegen, Roermond and Venray, the surcharge is €25 for a 20-foot container, €50 for a 40-foot unit and €60 for a 45-foot container. At Den Bosch, charges are €15, €30 and €40 respectively.
The Dutch surcharge applies to inland movements performed from 3 August and will remain in effect until water levels return to normal operating conditions. Trigger levels vary by terminal and are tied to designated measurement points on the inland waterway network.
Maersk said low water reduces the carrying capacity of inland barges and increases transport costs. The restrictions affect both the ability of barges to reach specific inland terminals and the amount of cargo vessels can carry where navigation remains possible.
No date has been given for the restoration of normal services at Andernach or for the reopening of the Twentekanaal
For more information:
Maersk – https://www.maersk.com/
