The Rhine River is set to become virtually impassable at a key waypoint in Germany, as shallow water chokes off shipments of energy products and other industrial commodities along one of Europe’s most important waterways.
The marker at Kaub, west of Frankfurt, is forecast to drop to the critical depth of 40cm early on August 12, according to the German Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration. At that level, most barges that haul goods from diesel to coal are in effect unable to transit the river. It’s set to continue dropping, to 37cm the following day.
Used by vessels to haul vital commodities, the Rhine snakes about 1,300km from its source high in the Swiss Alps through some of Europe’s most important industrial zones before emptying into the North Sea near Rotterdam. Companies including chemicals giant BASF and steelmaker Thyssenkrupp rely on the river to supply major industrial plants with fuels and raw materials.
When the marker at Kaub hits 40cm or less, it becomes uneconomical for most barges to sail any further, according to Germany’s Federal Institute of Hydrology. That in effect halts the flow of most shipments beyond the waypoint. The measured water level isn’t the actual depth of the river, but rather a marker for navigability. Shipments have already been hampered for weeks, with low water limiting how much barges can carry. The rate to haul some fuel to Basel in Switzerland is now 267 euros a ton, compared with about 25 euros a ton in early June, data from Insights Global show.
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