Rhine river water levels hit historic lows, threatening shipping

Water levels on the Rhine, Germany's most important inland waterway, have dropped to critically low levels, threatening to halt shipping and disrupt European supply chains. At the Kaub bottleneck near Koblenz, water levels recently hit a recorded low of two to five centimeters, a level that effectively divides the river for large vessels.

This shortage of water is causing significant economic strain. Logistics companies like Contargo report that lower levels require more ships to move the same volume of goods, increasing transport costs and necessitating 'low water surcharges' for customers. The inability of large freighters to pass through Kaub has led to inefficiencies in transport and has been linked to declines in industrial production.

Local services are also affected; the Kaub ferry has suspended operations due to the low water. While some specialized low-water vessels continue to operate, much of the freight is being diverted to rail and road. Weather forecasts indicate no significant rainfall is expected in the river basin through late September, suggesting the crisis may persist.