Published : 05 Aug 2026, 12:37 AM
Updated : 08 Sep 2026, 09:30 AM
Water levels on the river Rhine in Germany hit new lows on Tuesday in the current heatwave, the country’s inland navigation agency said, with cargo vessels continuing sailings carrying greatly reduced loads at higher prices.
* Inland navigation agency WSV said the navigable water depth at the chokepoint of Kaub near Koblenz was 24cm on Tuesday, having briefly dropped to as low as 21cm, below the previous lowest recorded level of 25cm in 2018. The river is about 1m deeper than the navigable depth and cargo sailings continue.
* Shallow water after this summer’s heatwave and scarce rainfall means freight vessels are often only able to sail around 20 percent loaded on the river, with extra surcharges increasing costs for cargo owners. Loads must be spread among several vessels sailing part loaded, also increasing costs and creating an unwelcome extra expense for German industry, which has been showing signs of recovery.
* Commodity traders said industry faces a heavy rise in costs, with industrial customers seeking alternative transport.
* “Shipments by barge are severely restricted, and vessels are operating with significantly reduced cargo loads,” said a spokesperson for chemical company Lanxess late on Monday. “As some loading and unloading points can no longer be reached, we are switching to rail and road transport wherever possible.”
* Traders said cargo vessels can still load about 220,000 kg sailing through Kaub.
* WSV forecast the navigable depth at Kaub will fall to new record lows of around 21cm on Thursday, when Germany’s new transport minister will hold a meeting with those affected.
* The cost of tanker barge transport from Rotterdam to Karlsruhe rose to around €150-€160 ($173-$184) a ton on Tuesday from €45 at the end of June, traders said.
* The Rhine is an important shipping route for commodities such as grains, minerals, ores, coal and oil products, including petrol.
