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Water levels on the Rhine are approaching a critical point, with navigation on parts of the Middle Rhine at risk of coming to a standstill if levels continue to fall. The situation is particularly severe at Kaub in Germany, a key bottleneck for Rhine navigation, where water levels are approaching a point at which commercial shipping may become physically impossible. Meanwhile, severe low-water conditions are also affecting the Danube and other European waterways, putting growing pressure on freight transport, industrial production, and energy supply.

Over the summer, the situation on the Rhine has worsened considerably. Several operators have already suspended operations through the most affected section, while vessels that continue to operate are carrying substantially reduced loads. The consequences are increasingly being felt by industries concentrated along the river, including major industrial clusters in the Netherlands, Germany, France, and Switzerland.

The Rhine is a critical supply artery for German and European industry, particularly for energy- and raw-material-intensive sectors such as chemicals, stee0,l and construction materials. Around three quarters of Germany's inland waterway freight transport performance is linked to the Rhine. Reduced vessel capacity is therefore quickly reflected in higher freight rates, additional logistics costs, and pressure on industrial supply chains.

Chemical producer Covestro has declared force majeure at its Dormagen site because of transport difficulties, while other companies are shifting freight to rail and road where capacity permits. Replacing inland navigation capacity at short notice is particularly challenging: depending on cargo and vessel size, a single barge can carry the equivalent of well over one hundred truckloads.

Low water extends downstream

The effects of the low Rhine flows are also being felt in the Netherlands. Very low flows entering the country at Lobith are restricting the amount of cargo vessels can carry, meaning more vessels are needed to transport the same volumes.

The Danube, too, is experiencing similarly difficult conditions. Low-water restrictions are affecting several sections of the river from Austria towards Romania. Austrian, Hungarian and Romanian authorities have issued low-water navigation notices for extensive sections of the river.

For freight transport, the consequences are significant. Barges must operate with reduced loads, requiring more vessels to transport the same amount of cargo and pushing up transport costs. The lower Danube is particularly important for agricultural commodities, fuels, and bulk cargo, connecting Central and South-Eastern European markets with the Black Sea.

Whereas Rhine and Danube are the most significant examples, the current drought extends across much of Europe, impacting several inland waterway systems. France is experiencing exceptionally low river flows, with more than 40% of monitored smaller waterways experiencing flow interruptions or drying. Further east, the Vistula has fallen to record lows at several measuring stations in Poland, affecting navigation, including restrictions on lock operations at the Dwory and Smolice barrages, while navigational parameters have been restricted on several sections of the river.The situation reinforces the need for resilient transport infrastructure and sufficient capacity across modes, allowing European supply chains to continue functioning when critical transport corridors are disrupted.