Shippers warn Rhine could be 'split in two' by low water

The Rhine River, a vital artery for European commerce, faces a critical threat this week as critically low water levels risk splitting the waterway in two. This drastic reduction in depth could bring cargo traffic to a standstill on a key stretch of the river, effectively creating separate zones and disrupting essential supply chains.

The warning comes from the federal association of German inland shipping (BDB), which highlighted the severity of the situation. Low water levels have been a recurring issue in recent years due to climate change and drought, impacting the navigability of major European rivers. The potential for the Rhine to be "split in two" underscores the vulnerability of this crucial transport route.

Such a disruption would have significant economic consequences, affecting industries reliant on the Rhine for the transport of goods like coal, chemicals, and raw materials. The BDB's alert signals a potential crisis for German and European logistics, emphasizing the need for adaptive strategies to manage the impact of extreme weather on critical infrastructure.

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Low water levels risk halting cargo traffic on a key stretch of the Rhine this week, effectively splitting the critical waterway into two separate zones.