News / Barge operators and shipping lines apply Rotterdam and Antwerp congestion surcharges

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Delays of up to 120 hours have led European barge operator Contargo to impose a congestion surcharge on all operations at the ports of Antwerp and Rotterdam.

The €19.50 per container charge came into effect on Friday and will be levied until 31 August, amid a worsening situation for loading and unloading throughput times at North Europe’s major import hubs.

“For weeks now the barges of Contargo’s fleet have had to wait increasingly long for unloading and loading,” said the operator.

“Throughput times ...