Low water situation on the Rhine River update and notification

We hereby wish to notify that the measuring point “Kaub“ on the Rhine river has fallen in the end of last week below 30cm, which caused an operational stand still,  most of the barges operated on the Rhine river were no longer able to proceed through the “Kaub” measuring point and shipping of our cargo has effectively stopped.

The current situation slightly improved and the barges are operating with lower capacity as the water level remains critical, the forecast is currently showing an unstable trend and we shall provide updates once they are communicated to us.

As a result, the Low water surcharges applicable as from today 01.11.2018 and until further notice are detailed as per below. The surcharges and measures taken apply to barge, barge-road transports both Pre and On-carriage from or to the ports of Antwerp and Rotterdam to Germany, France and Switzerland via the Rhine River.

MIDDLE & UPPER RHINE DESTINATIONS

The surcharge applied will be of Euro 900,- / 20’ and Euro 1,050 / 40ft which is to be applied on top of the original transport tariff for transport to the following destinations (depending on the possibilities to carry through barges until further notice and all subject to the water level changes):

• Mainz
• Frankfurt am Main
• Ludwigshafen
• Germersheim
• Strasbourg
• Basel/Birsfelden

LOWER RHINE DESTINATIONS

The additional surcharge will be Euro 250/ 20’ and Euro 325/ 40ft which is to be applied on top of the original transport tariff for transport to the following destinations (depending on the possibilities to carry through barges until further notice and all subject to the water level changes):

• Duisburg
• Bonn
• Andernach

For further details kindly see our website www.zim.com or contact our local sales / customer service representative.

These measures are necessary in order to maintain our current levels of service and high reliability.

Sincerely yours,
ZIM Customer Service