'We Just Need Rain': Germany's Rhine River Hits New Low
Only very small or lightly loaded barges can still transit the upper and middle Rhine, as drought and heat keep water levels near historic lows.
- On Sunday, the Rhine measured 6.1m at Lobith, falling below the previous record of 6.12m set in August; flow dropped below 600 cubic metres per second for the first time on record.
- Water levels in the shallowest middle section of the Rhine River have fallen to 16 centimeters below the low-water threshold, worsening over the past month and forcing Dutch water authorities to impose traffic restrictions.
- HGK Intermodal general manager Oliver Haas reported that vessels are limited to 20% capacity on the upper and middle Rhine, while booking truck alternatives takes up to two weeks and rail shipments up to six weeks.
- Dutch chartering company Transito launched a new service on Monday combining sea and inland freight, while The Dutch Melody cruise ship carrying 140 passengers required assistance after becoming stuck in Cologne.
- River levels are expected to drop further this week due to low rainfall in the Alps, with little rain forecast; the Elbe and Danube rivers also face historically low water levels from severe drought.
79 Articles
79 Articles
Germany continues to experience a lack of rainfall. A prolonged drought is once again taking its toll on the Rhine River this year, with river levels dropping to dangerously low levels in some areas.
Today, Tuesday, the German Internal Navigation Association warned of the consequences of the record drop in the water flow of the Rhine for the navigation of cargo ships, following months of low rainfall and high temperatures in the country.
'We just need rain': Germany's Rhine river hits new low
The waterway, which flows through the industrial heartland of Germany, has been at record lows since late July when Europe was struggling through a series of heatwaves. It has already led to some restrictions on commercial shipping, affecting industries from chemicals to steel-making, and heaping extra pressure on Europe's long-stagnant top economy. But continued dry weather this week pushed water levels at Kaub on the Rhine -- a reference point…
The low water of the Rhine has reached a new historical record in Cologne. The current measurement data alarm the competent authorities massively.
The levels on the Rhine are sinking. Historical lows have been measured in several places. The reason: it is currently raining too little.
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