News / Congestion and capacity shortage in Europe sees barge surcharges soar 150%

Rhine Barge. © VanderWolfImages Dreamstime.com.

Barge surcharges in Europe have soared 150%, due to hinterland congestion and container transport’s need to compete with demand for coal following Russia’s decision to cut gas supplies.

Contargo announced it would be increasing an emergency surcharge of €10 per transport of full or empty containers to €25 from 1 September, heaping new misery on shippers that faced a week of closures on the Rhine.

Contargo said: “As well as the massive problems in seaports, substantial bottlenecks continue to affect our services ...