# Rhine Low Water Levels Impact Hinterland Traffic to Basel and Rotterdam-Antwerp **Category:** Operational Alerts | **Source:** The Loadstar / IN-Supply | **Published:** 2026-10-24 | **Updated:** 2026-10-28 **Tags:** Logistik News, Transport News, Fracht News, Speditions News, Supply Chain News, Zoll News, Frachtportal News, Seefracht, LKW Transport, Schienentransport > Low water levels on the Rhine reduce loading capacity in Duisburg-Ruhrort by approximately one-third and strain hinterland transport between Rotterdam/Antwerp and Basel/Duisburg. --- Low water levels on the Rhine, particularly at Kaub and in the Duisburg-Ruhrort area, are currently severely restricting inland navigation. According to an assessment published on October 15, 2026, by Gunther Ginckels (SeasC4U), this represents one of the most serious Rhine shipping disruptions since the historic low water event of 2018. In Duisburg-Ruhrort, Europe's largest inland port, only around two-thirds of the usual loading capacity is currently available, as barges cannot be fully loaded due to insufficient draft. Some services near Kaub have been temporarily suspended; however, a complete closure of the Rhine does not exist. Hinterland traffic connecting Rotterdam and Antwerp with the inland ports of Basel and Duisburg is particularly affected. According to expert assessments, 15 to 30 percent of the affected cargo has no sufficient alternative capacity available even with intensive use of trucks. Those wishing to switch to rail must reckon with lead times of up to six weeks for additional slots, while trucking requires approximately two weeks. Rotterdam Port Authority emphasizes that the seaport itself continues to operate at full capacity; inland barge volumes remain relatively stable year-on-year. The bottlenecks are therefore not in Rotterdam itself, but further upstream on the Rhine. Antwerp is named as an additional connecting port for affected hinterland traffic, but not as an independently disrupted location. Freight forwarders and shippers with Rhine hinterland connections should reserve alternative rail and truck capacity early and prepare for higher low water surcharges and storage fees due to delayed transhipment. --- What does this mean for me? Anyone who regularly dispatches shipments across the Rhine between the seaports of Rotterdam/Antwerp and the inland ports of Basel or Duisburg should now actively inquire about alternative transport capacity with rail and trucking operators. Lead times for additional rail capacity are up to six weeks, for trucking around two weeks - those who plan too late risk delivery delays. Additionally, higher low-water surcharges and potential storage fees for delayed transshipment should be budgeted. --- - Assessment date: 15 October 2026 (Gunther Ginckels, SeasC4U) - Affected region: Rhine, particularly Kaub and Duisburg-Ruhrort - Duisburg-Ruhrort capacity: approximately two-thirds of usual loading capacity - 15-30% of affected cargo without sufficient alternative capacity even with intensive truck utilization - Rail lead time: up to 6 weeks; Truck lead time: approximately 2 weeks - No complete Rhine closure, individual services at Kaub temporarily suspended - Rotterdam: Seaport fully operational, inland vessel volume stable; bottlenecks located upstream - Affected countries: Germany, Switzerland; connection via seaports Rotterdam (NL) and Antwerp (BE) ## Related Entities ### Countries - [Belgium](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/be) - [Germany](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/de) - [Netherlands](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/nl) - [Switzerland](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/land/ch) ### Seaports - [Rotterdam (NL RTM)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/rotterdam-port-nl-rtm) - [Antwerpen (BE ANR)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/antwerpen-port-be-anr) ### Glossary - [Freight forwarder](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/freight-forwarder) - [Inland Waterway Transport](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/inland-waterway-transport) - [Low Water Surcharge (LWS)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/low-water-surcharge-lws) - [Draft](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/draft) - [Slot](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/slot) - [Low Water](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/low-water) - [Capacity](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/glossary/capacity) --- *Canonical URL: [https://www.freight-academy.com/en/news/rhein-niedrigwasser-belastet-hinterlandverkehr-nach-basel-und-rotterdam-antwerpen-20261019063345](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/news/rhein-niedrigwasser-belastet-hinterlandverkehr-nach-basel-und-rotterdam-antwerpen-20261019063345)* *Markdown mirror: [https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/news/en/rhein-niedrigwasser-belastet-hinterlandverkehr-nach-basel-und-rotterdam-antwerpen-20261019063345](https://www.freight-academy.com/api/md/news/en/rhein-niedrigwasser-belastet-hinterlandverkehr-nach-basel-und-rotterdam-antwerpen-20261019063345)*