CMA CGM is set to impose a US$753 per TEU low water surcharge on shipments to and from Manaus due to seasonal river level declines, with adjustments possible if navigation conditions worsen further, highlighting the ongoing impact of Amazon River fluctuations on maritime logistics.
CMA CGM is preparing to impose a Low Water Surcharge on shipments to and from Manaus, Brazil, as falling Amazon River levels begin to constrain navigation again. The charge will be US$753 per TEU, with the company saying it will take effect on 6 September 2026 for cargo moving from long-haul origins into Manaus and on 5 October 2026 for cargo leaving Manaus for long-haul destinations.
According to the carrier, the trigger is the seasonal deterioration in river conditions, which the Manaus Port Captaincy expects to bring navigation restrictions from week 40 and, at least for now, to keep them in place until week 52. CMA CGM said technical assessments point to a marked drop in navigable draft during that period, reducing vessel capacity and utilisation and adding costs linked to cargo handling, vessel allocation, route changes and extra pilotage.
The move follows a pattern in which the line has repeatedly adjusted or delayed Manaus surcharges as river conditions change. In 2023, CMA CGM introduced a US$750 per TEU low water surcharge for the route, while in 2025 it set a higher US$950 per TEU charge before later cancelling or postponing it when updated monitoring suggested the water level was falling more slowly than expected. Those earlier decisions suggest the carrier is still calibrating its response to the Amazon’s volatile seasonal cycle.
CMA CGM also said the charge could be revised if river conditions force the use of a floating pier for berthing, cargo handling or safe container transfers. In that case, the surcharge would be adjusted to reflect any additional operational arrangements and third-party costs, underlining how closely freight pricing on the Manaus route remains tied to the river’s depth and the practical limits of navigation.
Source Reference Map
Inspired by headline at: [1]
Sources by paragraph:
– Paragraph 1: [4], [7]
– Paragraph 2: [2], [4]
– Paragraph 3: [3], [4], [5], [6]
– Paragraph 4: [2], [4]
Source: Noah Wire Services
Verification / Sources
- https://container-news.com/cma-cgm-introduces-low-water-surcharge-for-manaus/ – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.cma-cgm.com/news/5180/low-water-surcharge-in-manaus-brazil – CMA CGM announced the cancellation of the Low Water Surcharge (LWS) for shipments to and from Manaus, Brazil, effective 3 September 2025. The decision was based on updated monitoring results indicating that the Amazon River’s water levels were decreasing at a slower rate than initially estimated. Consequently, the surcharge, which was intended to address additional operational costs arising from draft restrictions and reduced vessel capacity, was postponed. CMA CGM emphasized its commitment to closely monitoring the situation and keeping customers informed of any changes.
- https://www.cma-cgm.com/news/4446/low-water-surcharge-in-manaus-brazil – On 5 September 2023, CMA CGM informed customers about the implementation of a Low Water Surcharge (LWS) for all cargo from and to Manaus, Brazil, effective 15 September 2023. The surcharge was introduced due to significant reductions in the Amazon River’s water levels during the dry season, which directly affected cargo capacity and vessel navigability. The LWS was set at USD 750 per TEU and was necessary to address the additional operational costs resulting from draft restrictions and reduced vessel capacity caused by the low water levels.
- https://www.cma-cgm.com/news/5156/manaus-low-water-surcharge-2025?cat=tariffandsurchargeupdates – CMA CGM announced the implementation of a Low Water Surcharge (LWS) for shipments to and from Manaus, Brazil, effective 1 September 2025. The surcharge, set at USD 950 per TEU, was introduced due to the ongoing decrease in the Amazon River’s water levels, which impacted vessel capacity and navigability. The LWS was applicable to all cargo types and was necessary to address the additional operational costs arising from draft restrictions and reduced vessel capacity caused by the low water levels. CMA CGM committed to closely monitoring the situation and keeping customers informed of any changes.
- https://www.cma-cgm.com/news/5206/low-water-surcharge-manaus-brazil-from-to-asia-postponed – On 16 October 2025, CMA CGM announced the postponement of the Low Water Surcharge (LWS) for shipments between the Far East and Manaus, Brazil, effective 1 November 2025. The decision was based on updated monitoring results indicating that the Amazon River’s water levels were decreasing at a slower rate than initially estimated. The surcharge, set at USD 950 per TEU, was intended to address additional operational costs arising from draft restrictions and reduced vessel capacity. CMA CGM emphasized its commitment to closely monitoring the situation and keeping customers informed of any changes.
- https://www.cma-cgm.com/news/5224/low-water-surcharge-manaus-brazil-from-to-asia-postponed – CMA CGM announced the postponement of the Low Water Surcharge (LWS) for shipments between the Far East and Manaus, Brazil, effective 15 November 2025. The decision was based on updated monitoring results indicating that the Amazon River’s water levels were decreasing at a slower rate than initially estimated. The surcharge, set at USD 950 per TEU, was intended to address additional operational costs arising from draft restrictions and reduced vessel capacity. CMA CGM emphasized its commitment to closely monitoring the situation and keeping customers informed of any changes.
- https://www.cma-cgm.com/assets/public/documents/Client%20Advisory%20-%20MANAUS%20-%20LOW%20WATER%20SURCHARGE%202025%20-%20CCAI-346-070825.pdf – CMA CGM issued a client advisory regarding the Low Water Surcharge (LWS) for shipments to and from Manaus, Brazil, effective 1 September 2025. The surcharge, set at USD 950 per TEU, was introduced due to the ongoing decrease in the Amazon River’s water levels, which impacted vessel capacity and navigability. The LWS was applicable to all cargo types and was necessary to address the additional operational costs arising from draft restrictions and reduced vessel capacity caused by the low water levels. CMA CGM committed to closely monitoring the situation and keeping customers informed of any changes.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score: 8
Notes: The article reports on CMA CGM’s introduction of a Low Water Surcharge (LWS) for shipments to and from Manaus, Brazil, effective 6 September 2026 for inbound cargo and 5 October 2026 for outbound cargo. This is the first announcement of this surcharge for 2026, indicating freshness. However, similar surcharges were implemented in previous years, with announcements in August 2025 for a surcharge effective 1 September 2025. (cma-cgm.com) The recurrence of such surcharges suggests a pattern, but the specific details for 2026 are new. The article does not appear to be recycled from previous years.
Quotes check
Score: 7
Notes: The article includes direct quotes from CMA CGM regarding the surcharge and its implementation. These quotes are consistent with the company’s previous communications about similar surcharges in 2025. However, the exact wording of the quotes in this article matches the language used in CMA CGM’s official announcements from 2025, raising concerns about originality. The lack of independent verification of these quotes is a notable issue.
Source reliability
Score: 6
Notes: The article is published on Container News, a niche publication focusing on the shipping industry. While it provides timely information, its limited reach and potential biases due to its focus on the shipping industry may affect the reliability of the information. The article does not cite independent sources beyond CMA CGM’s own announcements, which is a concern.
Plausibility check
Score: 8
Notes: The article’s claims about the introduction of a Low Water Surcharge by CMA CGM for Manaus are plausible, given the historical context of similar surcharges in previous years. The specific details for 2026, such as the effective dates and surcharge amount, are new and have not been reported elsewhere, which is unusual for such industry-wide announcements. The lack of corroboration from other reputable sources raises questions about the accuracy of the information.