Water levels on the Rhine in Germany have fallen again with vessels often sailing only half full and prices for cargo transport rising.
According to Reuters, shallow water after dry weather makes shipping difficult on the entire river in Germany. Freight shipping on the river continues but with vessels often carrying greatly reduced loads.
In fact, vessels were often sailing half to a quarter full depending on their type. Water levels at the chokepoint of Kaub near Koblenz where the river is especially shallow have fallen again and some vessels there can only sail 30% full.
Navigation authorities do not close the river during low water periods, instead vessel owners must themselves decide whether they can operate safely.
German companies faced supply bottlenecks and production problems in 2018 after a drought and heatwave led to unusually low water levels on the Rhine.
