Rhine hits record low as German shipping crisis deepens

The River Rhine in Germany has hit a record low level after weeks of low water, with the gauge at the key shipping bottleneck at Kaub near Mainz falling to 2-5 centimetres below the previous record low of August 17, data from the Waterways and Shipping Authority (WSA) showed on Friday.

"The situation remains tense," a WSA spokesman said.

Historic lows are also expected in the coming days at several measuring stations elsewhere along the Rhine. The water level in Dusseldorf is forecast to drop back into negative territory on Saturday, falling below the August reading of minus 1 cm. The previous record low of 129 cm could also be broken in Duisburg on Saturday.

Shipping channel narrows further

In Cologne, the water level stood at 49 cm on Friday. The previous record low of 45 cm could be reached again on Monday. 

The Rhine's water levels at the various measuring stations are not directly comparable with one another, as there is no uniform zero point for all of them.

Low water levels have been causing problems for shipping for months. Cargo vessels can now only operate with significantly reduced loads. "The available channel depth remains restricted and is being further reduced by the development in water levels," the WSA spokesman said.

No lasting relief in sight

According to the Federal Institute of Hydrology (BfG), no lasting easing of the low-water situation is currently in sight. Rainfall forecast for the first week of October could possibly bring some temporary relief.