Hapag-Lloyd will introduce revised low water surcharge levels for barge transport on the Rhine River from 1 November 2026. The surcharges will apply to import and export cargo until further notice. Rates depend on water levels recorded at the Kaub, Cologne, Duisburg-Ruhrort and Emmerich gauges. Hapag-Lloyd warned that deteriorating conditions could make barge transport operationally unviable. Transportation cannot be guaranteed when water levels reach or fall below: 30 cm at Emmerich 180 cm at Duisburg-Ruhrort 105 cm at Cologne 80 cm at Kaub Rates for water levels below those covered by the published tables will be subject to individual agreement. Kaub surcharge levels Applicable to terminals south of Koblenz, including Lauterbourg, Strasbourg and Ottmarsheim. Kaub water level 20-foot container 40-foot container 150–131 cm €40 €50 130–111 cm €55 €75 110–101 cm €84 €111 100–91 cm €112 €149 90–81 cm €152 €200 80–71 cm €300 €380 70–61 cm €400 €480 60–51 cm €550 €645 50–41 cm €775 €930 40–31 cm €1,075 €1,280 30–25 cm €1,200 €1,280 25 cm €1,350 €1,350 Cologne surcharge levels Applicable to terminals between Koblenz and Cologne, including Bonn and Koblenz. Cologne water level 20-foot container 40-foot container 195–176 cm €30 €40 175–146 cm €50 €70 145–126 cm €70 €95 125–106 cm €100 €120 105–91 cm €270 €320 90–81 cm €420 €420 80–71 cm €550 €550 70–61 cm €700 €810 60–56 cm €895 €895 55–46 cm €945 €1,050 45–41 cm €1,010 €1,150 Duisburg-Ruhrort surcharge levels Applicable to terminals southeast of Wesel up to and including Neuss. Duisburg-Ruhrort water level 20-foot container 40-foot container 300–271 cm €15 €25 270–251 cm €30 €45 250–221 cm €55 €80 220–201 cm €80 €105 200–181 cm €110 €135 180–171 cm €165 €205 170–161 cm €230 €295 160–151 cm €335 €440 150–141 cm €445 €535 140–131 cm €675 €780 130–121 cm €800 €900 Emmerich surcharge levels Applicable to terminals at Emmerich and Voerde-Emmelsum. Emmerich water level 20-foot container 40-foot container 70–61 cm €25 €50 60–51 c