One of the most important logistics channels in Europe, the Rhine is facing the crisis of transportation interruption because of low water.

The German Federal Waterway and Shipping Administration recently announced that the water level in some parts of the Rhine River in Germany has dropped to 126 cm,

which is lower than the minimum of 135 cm to ensure safe navigation, and cargo barges on the Rhine River have been required to reduce their load. 

Rhine River is the most important inland waterway in western Germany, which transports a lot of coal, chemical raw materials and building materials every year. 

Barges used to transport fuel from Rotterdam can carry more than 1,200 tons of fuel, which is significantly lower than about 2,000 tons a week ago.

In August last year, this busy commercial waterway was also affected by extreme weather, and the water level in key sections dropped to a very low level.

Local barge operators imposed cargo loading restrictions on barges and imposed a barge surcharge of up to 800 US dollars /FEU.

With the further decline of water level, the barge capacity is only 20-30%, and the transportation of Rhine River is seriously blocked. 

As a result, the transportation of a large number of goods is at risk and the energy crisis in Europe is aggravated.

At present, one of the four oil processing plants in southern Germany suffers from the interruption of diesel production, which leads to the shortage of fuel supply in this area.

Although it is difficult to avoid the impact of drought, European countries and related enterprises are also actively taking measures to alleviate the impact of logistics interruption.

Some countries have begun to inject extra water into the Rhine in an attempt to raise the water level.

According to the German Federal Institute of Hydrology, the Rhine River is usually at its lowest water level from August to November, 

and the current prospect is uncertain, depending on the summer rainfall and temperature level.