CMA CGM Manaus Low Water Surcharge Rises to $2,315
CMA CGM is preparing for increasingly difficult navigation conditions on the Amazon River, raising its Manaus Low Water Surcharge to $2,315 per TEU from October 2, 2026. The move comes as river levels decline rapidly and authorities anticipate restrictions on vessel drafts during the Amazon region’s dry season.
The latest surcharge represents a substantial increase from the $753 per TEU charge introduced by the carrier in August. The earlier adjustment was intended to prepare customers for potential navigation constraints later in the year, but worsening hydrological conditions now indicate that operational challenges could emerge earlier and become more pronounced.
For companies importing and exporting through Manaus, the development could mean higher transportation costs, reduced vessel capacity and tighter container availability. Working with an experienced freight forwarding partner can help businesses evaluate alternative routing and manage changing logistics costs. Global Africa Logistics (GAL) provides freight forwarding, ocean freight, customs clearance and cargo coordination services for businesses navigating complex international supply chains.
CMA CGM Manaus Low Water Surcharge Set to Increase
CMA CGM will implement a new Manaus Low Water Surcharge of $2,315 per TEU for shipments moving to and from Manaus.
The revised charge applies to all equipment types and will become effective on October 2, 2026. It replaces the $753 per TEU surcharge previously announced by the carrier in August.
The scale of the increase reflects the growing operational difficulty of moving container vessels through sections of the Amazon River as water levels decline.
For shippers, the surcharge represents more than an additional line item on a freight invoice. Lower river depths can reduce the amount of cargo that vessels are able to carry safely, potentially forcing carriers to adjust vessel deployment, cargo intake and routing arrangements.
Amazon River Water Levels Are Falling Rapidly
The latest warning comes from the Western Amazon Harbour Master, whose second navigation notice was issued on August 28.
According to CMA CGM, the notice indicated that water levels had fallen more rapidly during August than during comparable periods in most recent years. The principal exception was 2024.
Current conditions are reportedly moving closer to those observed during the severe 2023 Amazon River dry season, when exceptionally low water levels disrupted river transportation and created significant challenges for cargo movements across the region.
The situation is therefore being closely monitored by shipping lines, port operators and logistics providers because the Amazon River is essential to the movement of goods into and out of Manaus.
Draft Restrictions Could Affect Container Vessel Capacity
One of the biggest concerns surrounding Amazon River shipping is the amount of water available beneath vessels.
The maximum recommended draft for vessels operating on the river is not determined solely by readings from water gauges at Manaus and Itacoatiara. Authorities also consider bathymetric information from critical river sections, including Foz do Madeira and Tabocal, together with reports provided by river pilots.
This combination of data is used to determine how deeply vessels can safely navigate.
Current projections from port authorities suggest that draft restrictions could begin around the middle of September. If water levels continue to deteriorate, further reductions may follow.
For container carriers, even a relatively modest draft reduction can have a major commercial impact.
A vessel that cannot load to its normal operating draft may have to leave containers behind. That means fewer available slots for shippers and potentially higher costs per container as carriers attempt to compensate for lost capacity.
Why Low Water Creates Higher Shipping Costs
The relationship between river depth and shipping costs is particularly important for the Manaus logistics market.
When water levels are sufficient, container vessels and supporting barges can operate according to planned cargo and routing schedules. As the river becomes shallower, however, carriers may need to modify those plans.
Possible consequences include:
- Reduced vessel drafts
- Lower cargo intake
- Additional barge operations
- Temporary storage requirements
- Changes to vessel deployment
- Additional infrastructure requirements
- Increased pilotage costs
- Alternative routing arrangements
- Schedule adjustments
These expenses can ultimately be reflected in freight rates and surcharges paid by cargo owners.
The new CMA CGM Manaus surcharge therefore reflects the additional operational burden created by deteriorating river conditions rather than simply representing a conventional seasonal pricing adjustment.
CMA CGM Plans Capacity and Operational Adjustments
CMA CGM said it is preparing several measures to maintain its Manaus services despite the expected navigation constraints.
The carrier plans to reduce vessel capacity and make adjustments across its logistics and operational network. The measures are also expected to involve a floating pier.
A floating pier can provide an alternative interface for cargo operations when conventional port infrastructure or vessel access is affected by low water levels.
However, implementing such measures comes with additional costs. CMA CGM has identified expenses associated with storage, barges, supplementary infrastructure, pilotage, vessel deployment, capacity changes and routing adjustments.
These additional requirements explain why the Manaus Low Water Surcharge has increased so significantly.
Maersk Also Prepares for Manaus Water Restrictions
CMA CGM is not the only major container carrier responding to the situation.
Maersk has also introduced measures related to low-water conditions affecting Manaus. The carrier announced a higher tariff in August under a scenario involving the use of a floating pier.
The actions taken by multiple major carriers demonstrate that the issue extends beyond one company’s operations.
If river conditions continue deteriorating, several carriers could face similar limitations on vessel capacity and cargo handling. That could place additional pressure on available container space and increase costs for businesses dependent on the Manaus trade.
Manaus Depends Heavily on Amazon River Transport
The impact of the situation is particularly significant because Manaus is deeply dependent on river transportation.
The city is an important industrial and commercial centre in northern Brazil, while the Amazon River provides a critical connection between Manaus and wider domestic and international supply chains.
Consequently, disruption to river navigation can have effects well beyond the immediate port environment.
Manufacturers, distributors, retailers and importers may all be affected when the movement of containers becomes slower or more expensive.
For businesses dependent on regular inbound shipments, lower vessel capacity can also make transportation planning more difficult.
$2,315 Per TEU Surcharge Takes Effect October 2
Under CMA CGM’s latest announcement, the new $2,315 per TEU surcharge applies to shipments moving to and from Manaus and covers all equipment types.
The measure begins on October 2, 2026.
Importantly, the carrier’s application mechanism is linked to when cargo aboard the vessel passes through the relevant river section, port or pier during its journey to or from Manaus.
This means that determining whether the surcharge applies is not based simply on the date printed on the shipping booking or the date the cargo was initially received.
Shippers should therefore pay close attention to their vessel schedules and the applicable operational conditions when calculating their expected transportation costs.
The Surcharge Could Change Again
CMA CGM has indicated that it will continue monitoring the situation.
The carrier is expected to assess new navigation notices issued by the harbour authorities, updated bathymetric surveys and changes in river conditions.
This is important because Amazon River water levels can change rapidly during the dry season.
If conditions improve, the carrier could reconsider the surcharge or its duration. Conversely, further deterioration could lead to additional operational measures or pricing adjustments.
For this reason, companies shipping through Manaus should avoid treating the $2,315 figure as necessarily permanent.
What Manaus Shippers Should Do Now
Businesses relying on Manaus container shipping should begin planning for the possibility of continued low-water restrictions rather than waiting for conditions to deteriorate further.
Several practical steps can help reduce exposure to disruption:
Review shipment schedules
Companies should examine upcoming vessel schedules and identify cargo that could be affected by draft restrictions or capacity reductions.
Recalculate landed costs
The new surcharge can significantly increase transportation expenses. Importers should update their landed-cost calculations and assess whether existing budgets remain adequate.
Monitor carrier announcements
Because river conditions can change quickly, shippers should maintain regular communication with carriers and logistics partners.
Evaluate alternative logistics options
Depending on cargo type, urgency and destination, businesses may need to consider alternative combinations of ocean, river, road, rail or air transportation.
Build additional lead time
Where cargo is not extremely time-sensitive, adding contingency time can reduce the risk of supply-chain disruption caused by vessel capacity constraints.
What the Manaus Situation Means for Global Supply Chains
The CMA CGM Manaus Low Water Surcharge is another example of how climate and seasonal environmental conditions can directly influence international logistics.
River transportation is particularly vulnerable to changes in water levels because navigation depends on maintaining sufficient depth for vessels and barges.
When those conditions deteriorate, the effects can move quickly through the supply chain:
Lower water levels → draft restrictions → reduced vessel capacity → tighter container space → higher logistics costs.
For international businesses, this highlights the importance of monitoring not only ocean freight markets but also inland waterways and regional infrastructure.
A disruption at a river port can ultimately affect manufacturing schedules, inventory availability and delivery commitments far beyond the immediate geographical area.
Implications for Freight Forwarders and Cargo Owners
The latest Manaus shipping delays and surcharge increase also reinforce the importance of proactive freight planning.
Freight forwarders can help cargo owners compare carrier options, evaluate alternative routes, coordinate documentation and manage changes to transportation schedules.
For African businesses trading with Latin America or other international markets, developments in Brazil can also provide an important reminder that global supply chains are interconnected.
A disruption affecting a major river-based logistics gateway can influence vessel availability, freight costs and equipment positioning across connected markets.
How GAL Can Help Businesses Manage Changing Freight Costs
At Global Africa Logistics (GAL), we understand that international freight costs can change rapidly because of weather conditions, port restrictions, vessel capacity, geopolitical developments and infrastructure constraints.
GAL provides logistics solutions covering ocean freight, air freight, freight forwarding, customs clearance and inland transportation.
Our team can help businesses evaluate shipping options, coordinate international cargo movements and develop practical logistics solutions when standard transportation routes become more challenging.
For importers and exporters, having a logistics partner capable of monitoring changing conditions can make it easier to respond before disruptions become costly.
Whether you are moving cargo between Africa and international markets or managing complex import and export operations, GAL remains committed to providing reliable logistics support under changing market conditions.
Conclusion: Manaus Shipping Faces a Difficult Dry Season
The sharp increase in the CMA CGM Manaus Low Water Surcharge highlights the growing operational pressure facing container shipping on the Amazon River.
From October 2, the surcharge will rise to $2,315 per TEU as falling water levels raise the possibility of vessel draft restrictions, reduced cargo capacity and additional logistics costs.
CMA CGM is preparing capacity reductions, operational adjustments and floating-pier arrangements, while other carriers such as Maersk are also taking measures to manage the challenging conditions.
The situation remains fluid. Further changes in Amazon River water levels, navigation restrictions and bathymetric assessments could lead to additional adjustments in carrier operations and pricing.
For shippers, the best response is early planning, close monitoring of carrier announcements and careful evaluation of alternative logistics options.
Global Africa Logistics (GAL) will continue monitoring important developments affecting global freight markets and international supply chains, helping businesses stay informed and better prepared as transportation conditions evolve.
