France's CMA CGM to charge inland emergency fee due to lower river levels

BRUSSELS, Aug 21 (Reuters) - French container shipping giant CMA CGM said on Friday it will apply an "inland emergency fee" as the low water levels in the Rhine and other European rivers disrupt inland barge traffic.

• The low waterline had led to a reduction in the transport capacity, congestion, extended terminal dwell times and higher operating costs, CMA CGM said in a statement.

• The emergency fee will be applied to all transport modes for inland shipments to or from locations routed through Antwerp, Zeebrugge and Rotterdam.

• A surcharge of €50 ($58.40) per container will be applied on shipments to or from locations in Belgium and the Netherlands and €75 to or from locations in Germany, Switzerland and France.

($1 = 0.8562 euros)

(Reporting by Inti Landauro; Editing by Will Dunham)