News / Shippers face surcharges on boxes by barge as summer heat hits Rhine water level

(c) Holger Weinandt

Shippers are facing increased costs and delays on Europe’s inland waterways as soaring summer temperatures have led to declining water levels on the Rhine.

The news is unwelcome to an industry that has had to contend with almost two years of severe congestion at Antwerp and Rotterdam.

According to Hapag-Lloyd, low water levels have forced barge operators to either cut capacity by up to two-thirds or suspend operations completely.

The carrier has warned customers to expect delays in Austria, France, southern Germany and Switzerland as ...