{"id":558867,"date":"2026-09-30T22:20:47","date_gmt":"2026-09-30T12:20:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.railfreight.com\/?p=74653"},"modified":"2026-09-30T22:20:47","modified_gmt":"2026-09-30T12:20:47","slug":"rhine-waters-hit-new-historical-low-add-tension-to-rail-and-road-transport","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=558867","title":{"rendered":"Rhine waters hit new historical low, add tension to rail and road transport"},"content":{"rendered":"

New historic lows in water levels have been recorded on Rhine in Germany in recent daysraising the prospect of increased disruption to barge traffic and the transfer of freight to rail and road. In its latest service update, tri-modal freight transport operator Contargo said water levels at the Maxau, Kaub, Cologne, and Duisburg gauges continue to decline.<\/strong>
\n<\/span>The company warned that should forecasts on watermarks materialise, it may be forced to implement extensive operational measures at short notice.\u00a0Shipping operations on the Upper Rhine and in the Rhine-Main region have already been suspended. On the Middle Rhine, vessels are currently only operating on a limited basis and only where the safe execution of transport operations can be ensured.<\/p>\n

Asked whether there was a risk of inland waterway traffic being suspended on the entire section of the Rhine in Germany, aspokesperson for Contargo told RailFreight.com. \u201cWe cannot say as this ultimately depends on each individual vessel operator. Some of Contargo\u2019s vessels can operate in very shallow water.<\/p>\n