In Germany, due to the shallowing of the Rhine, prices for river freight have increased. The fall of the water level in the Rhine below a critical level threatens industrial production, writes DW.
It is reported that industrial production usually drops by about 1% when the water level in the Rhine stays below the critical level for a month. In 2018, when navigation on the Rhine was last hampered by low water for an extended period of time, industrial production at its peak fell by around 1.5%.
This year, due to the hot summer, the water level in the Rhine has dropped especially low. In some parts of the river, the depth is 56 centimeters. At the same time, ships need 1.5 meters to move with a full load.
Ships are loaded only by 25-35% of their carrying capacity. Which means an increase in the number of ships or flights for the transport of goods. The freight of a tanker for transportation from Rotterdam in the Netherlands to Karlsruhe has increased in Germany from 20 to 94 euros per ton.
At the same time, according to DW, the demand for river cargo transportation has grown. This is due to the fact that Germany intends to increase electricity generation from coal in order to prepare for a reduction in gas supplies from the Russian Federation.
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