Netherlands refuses compensation for businesses hit by low river levels

Minister of Infrastructure and Water Management Vincent Karremans said the Dutch cabinet will not compensate companies for losses caused by the exceptionally low water levels in the country’s rivers. During a visit to Nijmegen he explained that the situation does not qualify as a natural disaster and therefore falls under normal business risk.

The drought has severely disrupted inland navigation: many barges cannot sail, cargo loads are reduced by 30‑35 %, several locks are closed and the Twentekanaal is temporarily inaccessible. Operators such as Container Terminal Doesburg’s Bennie Enzerink report extra travel time of up to 14 hours and higher costs. The minister estimated the economic damage at tens to hundreds of millions of euros but said funds are only available for recognized natural calamities, such as the 2021 Limburg floods. Water management priorities remain flood protection and drinking‑water supply, while transport and agriculture are considered secondary.