Hapag-Lloyd will introduce a Congestion Surcharge for inland shipments routed through Antwerp or Rotterdam.
The carrier attributed the measure to low water levels on the Rhine. Reduced barge capacity has increased demand for alternative truck and rail transportation. As a result, overall inland transport capacity has become limited.
Scope of the congestion surcharge
The surcharge will apply to all inland transport modes. It covers shipments to or from specified Central European countries when routed through Antwerp, Belgium, or Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Hapag-Lloyd will apply the surcharge under the PCS or OCS codes.
Congestion surcharge levels
- Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg: €50 per container
- Germany, France, Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary and Switzerland: €50 per TEU
Effective dates
The surcharge will apply to non-FMC cargo from 1 September 2026.
For FMC-relevant shipments, the surcharge will take effect on 20 September 2026.
