Rhine drought forces logistics onto rail and road

Low water levels on the Rhine River are significantly disrupting logistics for several major European companies, prompting a shift to rail and road transport. Steel producer ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe reported that the "persistent and worsening low water situation" is impacting its raw material supply to its Duisburg plant. The company has ceased its own barge transport and is using chartered vessels with shallower drafts.

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the persistent and worsening low water situation

Chemical giants BASF and Evonik are also facing "great challenges." BASF is deploying a larger number of "low water ships" to maintain barge transport and supplementing with rail and truck deliveries for crucial raw materials, though "isolated cases" of supply bottlenecks are occurring. Evonik stated that reduced ship transport volumes are affecting its production in Marl and its suppliers, leading it to move some freight to rail or road.

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Our own barge shipping has been discontinued due to the low water levels.

Specialty chemicals company Lanxess is also rerouting goods to rail and road as some loading and unloading points are inaccessible by ship. While production has continued "without major restrictions" so far, the company acknowledges severe limitations on shipping.

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great challenges

Environmental State Secretary Jochen Flasbarth described the current low water levels across German rivers as a "wake-up call" concerning the immense climate change that needs to be managed. Federal Transport Minister Steffen Bilger has convened a conference with relevant stakeholders to address the issue.

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The transport volumes of the ships must be reduced.