13/08/2026
Falling Rhine water levels are putting pressure on European supply chains.
Persistently low water levels on the Rhine are increasingly restricting barge operations, forcing shippers to shift more cargo to rail and road — and adding further pressure to already constrained hinterland capacity.
MSC has announced new congestion surcharges for rail, trucking and combined rail-truck services to and from Antwerp and Rotterdam via a number of inland hubs in Germany, France and neighbouring markets.
From 20 August, the carrier will apply:
€44 per container for trucking
€50 per container for rail and rail-truck moves involving Germany and Alsace
According to MSC, water levels have fallen so far that barge transport from some Rhine-connected inland terminals is now severely restricted or, in some cases, no longer possible.
The knock-on effects could be significant. As more cargo shifts from inland waterways to road and rail, available capacity is tightening and congestion risks are rising across Northern Europe.
With hot, dry weather expected to continue and little meaningful rainfall in the forecast, logistics operators are preparing for further disruption through August.
For shippers, the message is clear: alternative capacity may become harder to secure, transit times could increase, and transport costs are likely to remain under pressure.
Companies moving cargo through Antwerp, Rotterdam and Rhine-linked inland terminals should review routing options early and build additional flexibility into their transport plans.
*created using AI