Elbe Low Water Halts Cargo Shipping Until September

The water level of the Elbe in Saxony has fallen to historically low values, with the Dresden gauge measuring just 68 cm on the morning of 25 May 2026 and further projected declines to around 67 cm. Forecasts from the German Weather Service and the state flood centre indicate no significant rainfall to raise the river before the end of summer.

Because the water level remains below the 1.0‑metre threshold needed for cargo vessels, commercial shipping on the upper Elbe—from the Czech border to Magdeburg—is effectively suspended until at least September. Heiko Loroff, managing director of the Saxon Inland Ports Upper Elbe (SBO), confirmed that no freight ships are operating and that larger transports are stranded in ports, awaiting higher water levels. The vessels have been temporarily relocated to navigable sections of the waterway, while freight traffic is being shifted to road and rail routes.

The situation mirrors previous years’ summer low‑water periods, but an early onset this year has already disrupted logistics and raised concerns among shippers, farmers and tourism operators relying on river transport.