The water level in the Rhine, a major European shipping route, has dropped again this week due to prolonged lack of precipitation. On Friday, near Kaub, the measured navigable water level was about 21 centimeters. This decrease forces cargo vessels to carry less freight, which results in increased transportation costs.
The Rhine is used to transport goods such as grain, metal ore, coal, and petroleum products. However, the low water level hinders ships from being loaded to full capacity. As a result, either the vessels must sail with less cargo, or the same volume of goods must be divided among several ships, increasing overall transport costs.
The situation negatively affects German companies. Earlier this summer, transport costs for businesses were rising due to water shortages, delivery difficulties arose, and production had to be cut in some areas. The new drop in water level may exacerbate these problems. Some goods are now being transported by land transport and rail instead of by river.
In the Kaub area on the Rhine, the navigable water level was recorded at about 21 centimeters on Friday. On Monday, this figure was 34 centimeters, whereas last week it reached approximately 50 centimeters, showing a significant drop over a few days. In mid-August, the water level here dropped below 10 centimeters, which was lower than the old minimum record of 25 centimeters registered in 2018.
It is important to understand that the measured water level does not reflect the entire depth of the river. The actual depth of the Rhine in this location exceeds the instrument readings by about one meter. Nevertheless, even such a drop in the instrument level complicates the ability of ships to carry more cargo.
The water shortage prevents ships from operating at full capacity. This requires involving more vessels to deliver the same volume of cargo, which directly increases transport costs. For example, on Friday, the rate for tanker transport between Rotterdam and Karlsruhe reached 165–170 euros per ton, compared to about 100 euros per ton last week. Thus, rates rose by approximately 65–70 percent in one week.
According to data from the German Inland Shipping Agency WSV, no significant increase in the river's water level is expected in the coming week. However, if it starts raining in the areas around the Rhine, the water level may remain at its current level. The intense heat and low rainfall in Germany and many parts of Europe this summer have affected the Rhine and other rivers. Currently, ships continue to navigate the Rhine, but they have to carry less cargo. If the water level drops further, transport costs may rise, and companies will have to rely more heavily on road and rail transport.