LOW WATERS Archives - Maritime Shipping News

Low waters on the Rhine again – Time to panic?

2 August 2019

In 2018, low water levels on the Rhine made parts of it unnavigable. This caused production to come to a halt in places, increased manufacturing costs and disrupted supply chains in the industrial heartland of Europe.
A heatwave and drought has hit Europe again this summer.
In the third quarter of 2018, Germany’s economy shrank by 0.2% before stagnating in the fourth quarter. The decline was partly attributed to low water levels on the Rhine that hampered industry.

A heatwave in Europe is...

https://container-news.com/low-waters-on-the-rhine-again-time-to-panic/

Contargo prepares for the next extreme summer

24 July 2019

Contargo announces that June 2019 was the hottest June on record since the collection of weather statistics first began in 1881. “A sign that – as in 2018 – we might be in for another long, hot summer, with weeks of drought and low water on the Rhine,” Contargo says.

Since autumn 2018, container hinterland logistics network Contargo has taken the precautionary measure of having four barges in its fleet modified so that they have 10-15 cm more water beneath the keel in very low water conditions.

“W...

https://container-news.com/contargo-prepares-next-extreme-summer/

Fears of low Rhine water levels again

11 April 2019

Germany’s Rhine River could be impassable to ships again this summer if Europe has another drought, an once-rare weather phenomenon that’s becoming more likely with an increase in the temperature.

That’s the opinion of German and Swiss scientists who say that heavy snowfalls in the alpine regions at the river’s source are no guard against a repeat of low river levels, which blocked a key choke-point in October. Last year’s impasse was severe enough to dent German economic growth and underlines...

https://container-news.com/fears-low-rhine-water-levels-again/