Rhine's low water levels hit German shipping, minister touts dredging

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As some ships were unable to traverse the key waterway fully loaded, Transport Minister Volker Wissing called for the river to be dredged to allow for more freight to travel along it. Long term, he said it was necessary "to shift more traffic from road to rail and waterways." 

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"In 2018, when navigation on the Rhine was last hampered by low water for an extended period, industrial production decreased by about 1.5% at its peak," Jannsen said. "It could be an additional burden that shipping is a relatively important means of transporting energy commodities."

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The water level is particularly low at a narrow part of Kaub near Koblenz, currently at roughly 56 centimeters (less than 2 feet) in depth. However, ships need about 1.5 meters to be able to sail fully loaded. 

"We continue to sail, but can only load about 25 to 35 percent of the ship's capacity," said the director of the DTG shipping cooperative, Roberto Spranzi, which operates about 100 ships on the Rhine. 

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