According to Reuters, the German Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration (WSV) released data on August 13 (local time), showing that the water level of the Rhine River has further declined due to the ongoing heatwave across Europe.
It is understood that the navigable water depth at the critical Kaub section (near Koblenz) has fallen to 12 centimeters, breaking the previous record low of 25 centimeters set in 2018. Although the actual water depth in this section exceeds 1 meter, the available navigable depth is only 12 centimeters. The extremely low water level has made it impossible for the vast majority of cargo vessels to pass, effectively halting north-south inland waterway transport at this point.
According to commodity traders, currently almost all vessels are unable to pass through the Kaub section in either direction. Northbound vessels have turned back to seek other opportunities, while southbound freighters are trapped south of Kaub. To avoid running aground, cargo must be distributed across multiple vessels, and the remaining navigation services on the northern section of the Rhine are operating at loading rates of only about 20% of normal capacity.
Companies in the chemical, power, steel, and agricultural trade sectors have issued warnings that the low water levels have significantly increased logistics costs, created transportation bottlenecks, and forced some manufacturers to cut production.
HGK, the dry bulk shipping division of Rhine Cargo, stated that under normal conditions, approximately 24,000 tons of coal and ore can be transported daily by inland waterway from Rotterdam to Duisburg. However, current daily transport volume has plummeted to approximately 14,500 tons.
In response, Rhine Cargo has initiated a temporary rail alternative, operating three freight trains per week between Rotterdam and Duisburg until the end of September, each carrying approximately 2,000 tons of coal specifically for steel mills. However, rail capacity is far below that of inland waterways, and logistics pressure will continue in the coming period.
