{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"DefinedTerm","name":"Low Water Surcharge (LWS)","description":"When water levels at reference gauges such as Kaub or Duisburg-Ruhrort fall below defined thresholds, inland waterway operators apply a Low Water Surcharge (LWS), also known in German-speaking markets as Kleinwasserzuschlag (KWZ). The surcharge compensates for reduced vessel utilisation: with a reduced loading draught, an inland vessel can only take on part of its usual cargo, so more vessel capacity is needed to move the same volume of goods. The amount is tiered according to the water level an","inDefinedTermSet":{"@type":"DefinedTermSet","name":"Frachtportal Logistics Glossary","url":"https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary"},"url":"https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/low-water-surcharge-lws","inLanguage":"en","dateModified":"2026-07-18T18:04:54.574488","citation":"https://www.contargo.net/en/business/auxiliary-conditions/low-water","markdownMirror":"https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/glossary/en/low-water-surcharge-lws","provider":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Frachtportal","url":"https://www.freight-academy.com"},"quickSummary":"Low Water Surcharge (LWS) · When water levels at reference gauges such as Kaub or Duisburg-Ruhrort fall below defined thresholds, inland waterway operators apply a Low Water Surcharge (LWS), also known in German-speaking markets as Kleinwasserzuschlag (KWZ). · Quelle: https://www.contargo.net/en/business/auxiliary-conditions/low-water"}