[REVISION HISTORY]

Twentekanaal drought and shipping disruptions

Updated 1 time since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-08-28 18:00 UTC → 2026-08-29 07:38 UTC · added ~~removed~~

The Twentekanaal and Almelo-de Haandrik canal were closed due to drought-induced low water levels, marking the first time the Twentekanaal has closed for this reason. This closure forced an estimated 5,000 additional trucks per week onto the roads in Overijssel. In response to the logistics shift, the municipality of Kampen and the Dutch Association of Inland Shipping (NVB) requested government investment for the ports of Kampen, Zwolle, and Meppel to handle increased cargo volumes. Local leaders emphasized the need for infrastructure improvements, such as dredging and quay wall reinforcement, as well as upgrades to the N50 road. Following recent rainfall, Rijkswaterstaat has begun a gradual reopening of the Twentekanaal. Trial lock operations at Eefde are underway to monitor water stability. Initial capacity is limited to approximately five vessels per day, a significant decrease from the standard 35 to 40 daily lockings, with plans to potentially increase this to ten vessels per day as conditions allow. Authorities note that while rainfall has increased levels in the Rhine and IJssel, they are proceeding cautiously to assess pump capacity and water stability.

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