Rhine barge. Photo: © VanderWolfImages Dreamstime.com.
Hobbled by an influx of ultra-large container vessels (ULCVs) arriving at ports, Europe’s inland waterways are now contending with increasing temperatures provoking decreasing water levels, extending delays for those wishing to use barges.
The current level on the Rhine’s Kaub gauge is 110cm, with forecasts for water levels to fall to 100cm this week – in 2023, the level falling below 150cm prompted operators to implement low-water surcharges.
Barge operator Contargo last year levied a €75 per teu/€90 per feu surcharge with water at 101cm, but has yet to announce anything this year.
Split into four gauges, Duisburg, Emmerich, Kaub, and Koln, the capacity of each section of the Rhine to handle traffic can differ, with Kaub capable of operating at below 81cm, while the obligation of carriers to transport along the Duisburg stretch ceases at 181cm.
Inland sources told Лодстар the image of Europe’s inland waterways as an alternative to rail and road has taken a battering in recent years, with poor service, embedded congestion, and more surcharges forcing shippers to question its worth.
While part of the problem is the emergence of larger containerships, one source told Лодстар this was being used to disguise the fact that barge operators were providing “a far from efficient option”, with multiple barges moving underutilised.
The source said every stakeholder recognised that congestion at inland terminals attached to deepwater ports was endemic, but they were not willing to work together to address the issue – one suggestion would be to share space and reduce the number of vessels on the water.
After spiking beyond the four-day mark in March, congestion at Antwerp and Rotterdam appears to be declining again, but Contargo’s latest congestion numbers show handling-wait times of 51 hours at Antwerp and 86 hours for Rotterdam.
In an update, the barge operator noted: “There is a significant shortage of berthing space due to the handling of several deepsea vessels. In individual cases, diversion to alternative berths may be possible.
“However, significant delays are also to be expected there due to staff shortages. Overall, this situation is leading to extended turnaround times for inland vessel handling, which is affecting our operations.”