Two of the world's largest shipping companies, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and CMA CGM, announced in early August a surcharge of up to US$ 1,900 (about R$ 9,785) per container bound for Manaus, in the Brazilian state of Amazonas. The fee, known as Low Water Surcharge (LWS) or "drought surcharge," was set to take effect in the first week of September, according to company notices.
The Amazonas Commercial Association (ACA) challenged the measure and filed a petition with the National Waterway Transport Agency (Antaq). The association argues that agency rules only allow the surcharge when the Rio Negro reaches 17.7 meters. On Wednesday (26), the river level stood at 24.93 meters, well above that threshold.
Rules and oversight
Antaq's Ruling No. 459, issued in 2025, requires the fee to be charged only with at least 30 days' prior notice, detailing the triggering event, covered services, calculation basis, application period, and information on containers, costs and oversight. The agency said on August 13 it would step up operational measures to reduce impacts on passenger and cargo transport during the drought, but stressed that companies' prior notice does not mean the charge is authorized or regular.
G1 contacted MSC and CMA CGM but received no response by publication time. Antaq also did not reply to questions about the two companies' authorizations.
Drought spreads across the state
The dry spell is already affecting some of Amazonas's 62 municipalities. On August 19, the city of Humaitá, in the south of the state, declared a state of emergency due to drought on the Rio Madeira, which has hampered essential public services. The decree, however, is not recognized by the state Civil Defense. According to the agency, as of Wednesday only São Paulo de Olivença, in the Upper Solimões region, was officially in a state of emergency. Another 14 municipalities were on alert and 10 on attention.
The 32nd Hydrological Alert Bulletin from the Brazilian Geological Service (SGB), published in August, says below-average rainfall has intensified the receding of rivers in the Amazon Basin. Despite the drop, most SGB monitoring stations remain within normal levels for this time of year. The phenomenon, which recurs annually, has gained strength in recent dry seasons and pressures Manaus's supply logistics, as the city depends on river transport to receive goods from other parts of Brazil and abroad.