Maersk resumes barge operations at Andernach terminal on the Rhine
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Maersk announced that, as of October 27, 2026, regular barge operations to and from the Andernach Inland Terminal in Germany returned to normal after water levels and operating conditions on the Rhine River improved. The carrier also removed the temporary inland contingency surcharge it had applied during the disruption.
End of the Andernach surcharge
According to Maersk's notice, the Origin Inland Contingency surcharge for exports and the Destination Inland Contingency surcharge for imports at Andernach, which amounted to 625 euros per container, ceased to apply as of October 27. This communication replaces the notice issued on August 7, 2026, which had introduced the contingency measures following the service disruption caused by low water levels on the Rhine.
Bonn also back to normal
The same Maersk notice also announced the resumption of operations at the Bonn terminal, likewise effective October 27. There, the surcharge withdrawn according to the October 29 notice was 175 euros (196 dollars) per container, although the August 12 disruption notice had set that charge at 350 euros (392 dollars) per container for imports and exports, with the company not explaining the discrepancy between the two amounts.
Months of disruption
Barge calls at Andernach had been suspended since August 7 due to low and rapidly falling water levels on the Rhine, which prevented operators from calling at the terminal. For that period, alternative schemes were enabled for cargo moving through Andernach, including inland origins and destinations such as Polch and Eberhahn. At Bonn, the suspension began on August 12 for the same reason, and containers could be loaded or discharged at alternative locations such as Emmerich before continuing their transport.
Low water surcharge remains in effect
Despite the resumption of services, Maersk is keeping its Low Water Surcharge in place, as low-water conditions continue to affect barge transport on the Rhine, with Duisburg-Ruhrort, Kaub, and Cologne as reference gauge points until further notice. River levels at Bonn rose from 88 cm at 05:00 on October 25 to 154 cm at 05:00 on October 27, before falling to 124 cm at 05:00 on October 29, while at Andernach the level dropped from 97 cm at 05:00 on October 27 to 78 cm at 05:00 on October 29.
