Maersk has introduced a temporary contingency surcharge for container shipments moving via Bonn Inland Terminal as falling water levels on the Rhine disrupt barge operations.
Barge operators have informed the carrier that vessels can no longer call at Bonn Inland Terminal due to current low water conditions and rapidly declining river levels.
As a result, containers originally scheduled to move through Bonn may be handled at alternative locations, including Emmerich. They may then require additional inland transportation to reach their destination.
EUR 175 surcharge for Bonn cargo
To support alternative transport arrangements, Maersk has introduced a temporary Bonn Contingency Surcharge.
The charge is effective immediately and applies to both imports and exports:
| Direction | Charge | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Export | Landside Contingency Origin | EUR 175 per container |
| Import | Landside Contingency Destination | EUR 175 per container |
The surcharge covers all affected import and export cargo moving through Bonn. It also applies to all inland origins and destinations normally served through the terminal.
Maersk said the measure will remain in place until regular barge operations at Bonn can resume.
Rhine water levels threaten further disruption
The carrier has also warned that low water conditions could further affect barge transportation along the Rhine.
At Kaub, low water conditions begin when the river level reaches 1.50 metres or below. Draft restrictions at this point can limit the amount of cargo that barges can carry.
Moreover, Maersk said it can no longer guarantee cargo loading if water levels fall below 81 cm at Kaub or 181 cm at Duisburg-Ruhrort.
Low Water Surcharges (LWS) vary according to the measuring point, water level and container size.
At Kaub, for example, the surcharge starts at EUR 45 for a 20-foot laden container when the water level falls below 1.51 metres. At levels below 0.51 metres, the charge rises to EUR 880 for a 20-foot container, EUR 1,055 for a 40-foot unit and EUR 1,250 for a 45-foot container.
Cologne operations also face restrictions
Low water conditions are also affecting operations around Cologne.
Maersk said transport is not guaranteed when the Cologne water level falls below 1.05 metres.
At levels below 0.65 metres, the Low Water Surcharge reaches EUR 710 for a 20-foot container, EUR 855 for a 40-foot container and EUR 895 for a 45-foot unit.
Meanwhile, surcharges at Duisburg-Ruhrort can rise further. At water levels below 1.31 metres, charges reach EUR 1,335 for a 20-foot container, EUR 1,560 for a 40-foot unit and EUR 1,670 for a 45-foot container.
Bonn charge is separate from Low Water Surcharge
Maersk stressed that the new EUR 175 Bonn Contingency Surcharge is separate from its existing Low Water Surcharge.
Therefore, affected shipments may be subject to both charges.
The carrier said the additional Bonn fee reflects costs associated with alternative routing, transportation and handling after barge calls at the inland terminal became unavailable.
The Low Water Surcharges will remain in effect until further notice, with the applicable level determined by Rhine water measurements.
