Germany's inland shipping under pressure as rivers run dry

Severely low water levels are affecting shipping on several of Germany's major rivers, including the Rhine, Elbe and Danube, DW reports.

"Inland vessels can currently carry less cargo than they can at higher water levels," Fabian Spiess, deputy managing director of the German Inland Shipping Association, said.

Spiess said freight transport was continuing despite the conditions and that the Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration had not imposed any official closures.

"Shipping continues for as long as it can do so safely," Spiess said.

The waterways authority has confirmed low water at numerous measuring stations along the Rhine. The Federal Institute of Hydrology said the Danube had recorded its lowest water level to date in recent days.

The Elbe stood at 59 centimetres at the Dresden measuring station on July 15, almost 90 centimetres below its average level.

The reduced water depth means vessels can carry less cargo.

"The result is lower transport volumes per ship and therefore rising transport costs along the supply chain," Andreas Bartel of the Duisburg port operator Duisport said.

More vessels are also needed to move the same volume of goods when ships are carrying lighter loads.

"For that reason, low water often results in more vessels being seen on the Rhine than under normal conditions," Bartel said.

By Vafa Guliyeva