The level of the water in the St. Lawrence River has risen from last summer’s lows, which is enabling container ships to carry more cargo into the Port of Montreal.

As a result, Mediterranean Shipping Line and OOCL both announced over the weekend that they will cancel the low-water surcharges they imposed last summer.

OOCL, which started imposing low-water surcharge of $75 per 20-foot container unit equivalent and $150 per 40-foot equivalent unit in July, is canceling the surcharges as of Monday Oct. 25. OOCL said it continue to monitor the situation throughout the winter and early spring of 2011.

MSC is canceling its surcharges as of Nov. 1. “It goes without saying that should the river water level drop back again, MSC will re-instate the surcharge with an appropriate amount,” the Geneva-based carrier said. 

The Journal of Commerce Online