Contargo to introduce Rotterdam surcharge

Due to the bottlenecks, one-fifth of all export containers cannot be dealt with at the terminal originally planned and instead have to be taken by truck to their loading site - a complex and costly process.

“We have chartered additional tonnage in order to keep to our schedules, and every day we are fighting for processing slots for our customers,” said Marcel Hulsker, managing director of Contargo Waterway Logistics.

Contargo will use the additional charge to finance flexible measures to improve seaport processing, including increasing the size of the fleet and reducing the percentage capacity load of existing vessels.

Contargo says it is also keeping a close watch on the situation in Antwerp where delays may also occur due to the beginning of the holiday season.