Persistent heat and scant rainfall so far this summer pushed the water level on Germany's Rhine River to record lows, straining shipping and industry on Europe's vital waterway.
In the small riverside town of Kaub, with fewer than 800 residents, the Rhine River levels play an outsized role. Despite its size, Kaub is critically important to river freight. Just as a barrel's capacity depends on its shortest stave, the amount of cargo vessels can carry depends on the water levels at Kaub.
"Here in Kaub, the Rhine is a mountain river. The channel is narrow, with shallow areas and rocks, making passage difficult for ships. When levels are low, ships are forced to cut their loads. This creates a major problem, because the less cargo they carry, the higher the shipping cost per unit," said Bernd Vogt, mayor of Kaub.
This summer's low-water spell led to a dramatic figure that locals would not forget. On August 14, the river measured just six centimeters deep at Kaub, the lowest since records began. Ferry crossings halted, unable to operate safely.
"It was extremely challenging. We had to suspend service. There just was not enough water under the ferry. It was too risky to continue," said Andre Kimpel, ferry operator.
Recent rainfall has raised levels slightly, with the river at Kaub reaching 59 centimeters by August 27, allowing ferries to resume. But levels remain well below normal.
The impact stretched far beyond Kaub. About 100 kilometers south in Ludwigshafen, home to chemical giant BASF's headquarters, Rhine shipping disruptions were also felt. The BASF site, sprawling along the river, has relied on this "lifeline" for over 160 years, with nearly 40 percent of its freight typically moved by inland waterways.
During low water, BASF had to deploy special shallow-draft vessels and shift key supplies onto trains and trucks to keep production running smoothly.
The banks of the Rhine are home to many of Germany's key chemical, steel and energy companies, with large volumes of raw materials and products transported via this waterway. Prolonged low water levels can not only drive up shipping costs and cause logistical delays, but may also affect industrial production.
For this industrial nation's western region, which has long depended on Rhine transport, finding ways to keep this crucial artery running smoothly amid increasingly frequent episodes of extremely low water will be a long-term challenge.
Low Rhine River levels pose threat to Germany's industry
