At the Kaub water gauge station in Germany, the water level was recorded at 19 cm, compared to the previous low of 25 cm set in October 2018. This was caused by a prolonged lack of precipitation.
According to the Frankfurter Rundschau, citing data from Germany’s Federal Office for Waterways and Shipping, the record-low water levels are already affecting river transport operations. At a level of 19 cm, barges cannot carry a full load and are forced to make more trips to transport the same volume of cargo. This increases the cost of delivering coal, petroleum products, chemicals, grain, and other goods transported on the Rhine.
However, the 19-centimeter reading does not mean that the river’s depth is only a few dozen centimeters. This reading comes from the Kaub water gauge station—a key navigational reference point for shipping. The actual depth of the navigable channel usually exceeds 1 m; however, it is this specific measurement that determines the permissible draft of vessels and their loading capacity.
According to experts, the river has become shallower due to insufficient rainfall in recent months. This has already caused problems for shipping and the operation of nuclear power plants. Water levels in Germany and along its border with the Netherlands fell this summer to their lowest levels since records began.
Industry experts estimate that if the drought persists, restrictions on shipping could become more severe. For German and Dutch industries, this means a further increase in transportation costs and new disruptions to supply chains.
It should be noted that the Rhine is one of the busiest shipping routes, and the shallowing of the river threatens to have serious economic consequences for the countries in this region.
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