Adjustment of Low Water Surcharge - Level Emmerich / Duisburg-Ruhrort / Cologne / Kaub

Water levels at all monitored gauges are currently at a critical level.

Please note the following low-water surcharges until further notice.

UPDATE:
Due to the rapidly falling water levels at the Kaub, Cologne, and Duisburg gauges, we may be forced to implement extensive operational measures at short notice.

Should current forecasts materialize, it may become necessary to temporarily suspend our regular inland waterway services to the Upper Rhine, Middle Rhine, and Rhine-Main regions. At such low water levels, inland vessels can utilize only a very limited portion of their normal carrying capacity. Beyond a certain point, reliable and economically viable transport by inland waterway can no longer be guaranteed.

In this scenario, containers destined for these regions would need to be transported primarily by rail or truck.
Furthermore, we would like to point out that, in order to ensure the fastest possible transportation of your containers, we may increasingly route shipments via various transshipment and transport hubs. Any storage, demurrage, detention, or other additional charges arising from this are beyond our responsibility and therefore cannot be accepted by us. We accept no liability for delays, additional costs, or any other consequences arising directly or indirectly from the current low-water situation and the operational measures required as a result.

Please note the following low-water surcharges until further notice.

Please note that, until further notice, the following low water surcharges apply for water levels below 31 cm at the Emmerich level for the terminals Emmerich and Emmelsum-Voerde:

Please note that, until further notice, the following low water surcharges apply for water levels below 181 cm at the Dusiburg-Ruhrort level for all terminals south-east of Wesel, up to and including Neuss:

Please note that, until further notice, the following low water surcharges apply for water levels below 106 cm at the Cologne level for all terminals from Koblenz to Cologne:

Please note that, until further notice, the following low water surcharges apply for water levels below 81 cm at the Kaub level for all terminals south of Koblenz:

The increase in surcharges compared to previous low-water periods is largely due to the significant rise in ship charter costs.

Please also note that we may need to adjust the low water surcharges in line with daily market conditions and water level developments. The currently valid surcharges and water levels are published on our website at www.contargo.net and in our daily water level updates.

We would like to point out that our transport obligation stops at water levels of less or equal 30 cm at Emmerich, 180 cm at Duisburg-Ruhrort, 105 cm at Cologne and 80 cm in Kaub. Nevertheless, we are making every possible effort to continue transporting your containers.

We kindly ask for your understanding and request that you forward this information to all relevant colleagues in your organization. 

Should you have any questions or require further information, our team will be happy to assist you.