Ongoing heat and drought have pushed water levels down on several key European
rivers. CMA CGM said the Rhine and other rivers remain abnormally low and inland
navigation is severely affected, and it will levy an "inland emergency transport
surcharge" on cargo transiting three ports. Persistently low water has reduced
inland barge capacity, increased port congestion and dwell times, and raised
operating costs; the surcharge covers all inland transport modes via the three
ports. The Rhine, a major inland shipping artery linking the Netherlands,
Germany, France and Switzerland, has already seen impacts on shipping and energy
supply.
