LOW WATER SURCHARGE (LWS) - MANAUS 2026
LOW WATER SURCHARGE (LWS) - MANAUS 2026
Dear Valued Customers,
Thank you for choosing Ocean Network Express (ONE) as your shipping partner.
In light of the Amazon Basin's drought history and the warnings of severe weather conditions for this year, ONE has been closely monitoring the region's hydrological status. To ensure operational transparency, legal compliance, and safety, we continuously monitor data from official agencies, such as the National Water and Sanitation Agency (Agência Nacional de Águas e Saneamento Básico - ANA), the Geological Survey of Brazil (Serviço Geológico do Brasil - SGB), the Port of Manaus, and the Western Amazon River Command (Capitania Fluvial da Amazônia Ocidental - CFAOC).
The current forecasts indicate a significant reduction in water levels over the coming months. These likely adverse hydrological conditions will affect navigability and restrict maritime transport, resulting in extraordinary costs to maintain service operations.
These costs arise from a range of exceptional measures and resources required to keep cargo moving safely. Potential actions that may be required include:
- Reduction in maximum container-carrying capacity due to vessel draft restrictions
- Calls at alternative ports
- Allocation of extra vessels to the service
- Additional tugboat and pilotage services
- Container transport by barge
- Use of floating piers, including additional container handling, berthing, storage, and transfers
- Other administrative and operational resources required to ensure the execution of maritime transport
In this context, with a focus on ensuring operational continuity, ONE will apply a Low Water Surcharge (“LWS”) in the 2026 cycle in order to recover potential costs generated by the actions mentioned above. The application of the LWS, as well as the defined amount, reflect current forecasts and are conditional, subject to review.
The application and collection of the LWS will observe the following conditions:
- Effective Date: The surcharge will be due as of the dates indicated below (based on the pro forma ETD of the first port of loading or, for routes regulated by the FMC, on the date of cargo receipt), provided that the water level of the Rio Negro reaches 17.70 meters or less:
- Imports from all origins to Manaus: September 15, 2026
- Exports from Manaus to all destinations: October 1, 2026
- LWS Tariff: USD 1,458 per container (all types)
The amount will be subject to future adjustments in the event of changes in extra costs, upon prior notice.
- Services Subject to LWS: The surcharge applies to services operating to and from Manaus, including the Caribbean Express 1 (CX1) and 9BR services, as well as all other Ocean Network Express services connected to them.The surcharge applies to shipments to and from Manaus.
- Payment Term: ONE designates "Collect" as the standard payment term for inbound shipments to Manaus (imports) and "Prepaid" for outbound shipments from Manaus (exports), aiming to align payment terms with expected hydrological restrictions. If the customer chooses a different payment term, the surcharge may be reviewed, adjusted, or disputed based on how the conditions outlined in this advisory materialize, within the terms and limits of applicable law.
These parameters may be revised, adjusted, or canceled should new hydrological circumstances impose additional logistical limitations—such as the need to utilize the floating pier at Itacoatiara—or if the initially expected restrictions do not materialize. In any scenario, all changes will fully comply with applicable laws and regulations.
On the dedicated 'Manaus Dry Season' page on our website, you can follow updates on the hydrological scenario and review our contingency plans. Should you have any questions, please contact your ONE Sales Representative or reach out through our digital customer service channels.
Thank you for shipping with ONE.
Sincerely,
Ocean Network Express (North America) Inc.