CMA CGM adds emergency surcharge as Rhine hits record lows

French container shipping giant CMA CGM announced on Friday it will impose an "inland emergency fee" on shipments routed through major European ports, as record-low water levels on the Rhine and other rivers continue to cripple barge operations across the continent.

Fee Details

The surcharge applies to all transport modes for inland shipments to or from locations routed through Antwerp, Zeebrugge, and Rotterdam. CMA CGM will charge €50 per container for shipments to or from Belgium and the Netherlands, and €75 per TEU for locations in Germany, Switzerland, and France.reuters+2

The fee takes effect on August 24 for imports, September 1 for exports, and September 21 for FMC-contracted cargo, and will remain in place "until further notice," according to the company's advisory.ajot

CMA CGM cited reduced transport capacity, congestion, extended terminal dwell times, and higher operating costs as drivers of the charge.live.euronext

Europe's Deepening Water Crisis

The fee comes after weeks of steadily worsening conditions on the Rhine, one of Europe's busiest commercial waterways. Water levels at Kaub, a critical chokepoint for vessels heading to southern Germany and Switzerland, have fallen to their lowest since records began in 1880. Reuters reported on Tuesday that levels remained near record lows even after a slight rise, continuing to hamper transport and production.Bloomberg+1

The German inland navigation agency WSV has tracked successive record lows throughout August as a prolonged heatwave bakes the continent. The federal association of German inland shipping warned earlier this month that low water risked effectively "splitting" the Rhine into two separate navigable zones. Most freight has already been shifted to trucks and trains.Reuters+2

Broader Economic Impact

The Rhine crisis extends beyond shipping. The drought has forced curbs on nuclear power generation in France and disrupted operations along the Danube as well. Bloomberg reported that forecasters see no relief without weeks of sustained rain, meaning disruptions could stretch into October.Bloomberg+2

CMA CGM said it is "securing alternative transport solutions" and will provide further updates as conditions evolve.ajot