Low Water Levels: Krischer Urges Federal Government to Provide Funds for Channel Expansion

North Rhine-Westphalia's Transport Minister Oliver Krischer has called on the federal government to provide the necessary funds for the continued expansion of the Rhine river's shipping channel. Krischer highlighted that the Waterways and Shipping Administration is unable to proceed with the second, construction-ready phase between Krefeld and Düsseldorf because the federal government eliminated the allocated funds for 2025.

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We expect the federal government to make the funds available at short notice so that construction can proceed and further planning can occur.

"We expect the federal government to make the funds available at short notice so that construction can proceed and further planning can occur," Krischer told the German Press Agency. He stressed that the federal government must fulfill its responsibility towards the Rhine, a federal waterway. North Rhine-Westphalia plans to formally request this funding at a "Rhine States Conference" scheduled for September 4, involving Rhineland-Palatinate, Hesse, and Baden-Württemberg.

Measures between Duisburg and Krefeld have already been completed. The ongoing expansion project is designed to ensure the Rhine remains navigable even during periods of low water. According to the ministry, this involves removing large stones from the channel in certain areas. Such improvements would allow ships to carry larger loads at lower water levels without running aground. While the first phase between Duisburg and Krefeld is complete, the measures for the third section between Düsseldorf and Cologne are still in the planning stages.

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The federal government must fulfill its responsibility towards the Rhine, a federal waterway.

North Rhine-Westphalia's Minister of Economic Affairs, Mona Neubaur, emphasized the river's significance: "The Rhine has always been the lifeline of our industry. Now it must also become a symbol of how we adapt our industrial location to climate change: pragmatically, technologically open, and in harmony with nature."

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The Rhine has always been the lifeline of our industry. Now it must also become a symbol of how we adapt our industrial location to climate change: pragmatically, technologically open, and in harmony with nature.