{"id":490863,"date":"2026-07-29T00:00:53","date_gmt":"2026-07-28T14:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.railfreight.com\/?p=73067"},"modified":"2026-07-29T00:00:53","modified_gmt":"2026-07-28T14:00:53","slug":"low-water-levels-on-rhine-hit-barge-services-switch-to-rail-a-limited-option","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=490863","title":{"rendered":"Low water levels on Rhine hit barge services, \u2018switch to rail a limited option\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

German tri-modal operator Contargo is braced for significant disruption to its Rhine barge services in the coming days due to low water levels on the river. However, switching to rail is only a limited option because of a major rail works in Germany, on the right bank of the Rhine a company spokesperson told RailFreight.com.<\/strong>
\n<\/span>Contargo\u2019s teams are in ongoing \u201cintensive discussions\u201d with various railway companies, terminal operators, and other partners to develop and establish suitable alternative transport services to compensate for the disruption to inland waterway traffic.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur primary focus remains on maintaining connections between the seaports of Rotterdam and Antwerp and the Rhine hinterland, either by increasing the frequency of existing rail services or by introducing so-called bypass services. These bypass services bridge the Upper and Middle Rhine sections by rail.\u201d<\/p>\n

But securing spots on suitable diversion routes remains extremely challenging, the spokesperson underlined. Scheduled to last until the end of year, rail works in Germany have already reduced available capacity considerably.<\/p>\n