The Rhine River which is a major shipping watercourse through Western Germany is currently experiencing alarming low water levels, causing problems for vessels along the major shipping route.
The Rhine’s water level between Bonn and Duisburg, North Rhine-Westphalia measured this week stands at 2.14 meters – less than half of its normal depth of 4.33.
According to a report provided by Duisburg water protection police, Dozens of ships trying to navigate the low waters of the Rhine have reportedly got stuck within the past two weeks.
A water protection police spokesman said, “That is significantly more than during normal water levels. The low water levels make the waterway narrower, which in turn means river vessels have less space. Some end up inadvertently navigating too far and getting stuck”.
At times low levels of water forces the ship captains to unload and leave behind some of their cargo because piloting with a full load would not be possible. This means that other ships must then later transport the discharged goods which increase transportation costs.
Ramon van der Maat, Westdeutsche Allgemeine Zeitung said, “Low water levels mean more work for water protection police”.
Hydrologist Jan Böhme of the Duisburg-Rhein Waterway and Shipping Agency (WSA) who expressed concern said, “When you compare the current level with those of the last 20 to 30 years, this is a very low water level. The river’s levels have continued to decrease, and this weekend the situation could get even worse and by Sunday, it could sink below the two-metre mark”.
According to Böhme, the lowest level the Rhine has reached in Duisburg was 1.74 meters in 2003 even then the Rhine waterway was not officially closed for passage. He added, “Ship captains must always take responsibility for themselves and decide whether they can navigate it or not.”
Correspondingly in June, the Rhine’s water levels became too high for shipping after heavy rain, leading officials to close the waterway.
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Source: The Local
