Contargo suspends inland waterway operations to Upper Rhine due to low water levels
Persistent drought conditions are further exacerbating the situation on the Rhine. According to Contargo, the water level at Kaub dropped to 53 centimeters on July 13. Safe operation of inland waterway transport to the Upper Rhine is currently no longer possible.
The terminals in Basel, Weil am Rhein, Ottmarsheim, and Strasbourg are particularly affected. For safety reasons, Contargo's inland vessels can no longer reach these locations. The company has temporarily suspended traffic to the Upper Rhine.
Container transport is also directly impacted. The inland vessels KV Panerai and KV Contargo I can no longer transport import containers all the way to the Upper Rhine. Cargo is instead being discharged at the Contargo terminal in Emmelsum. According to Contargo, customers have already been notified regarding affected shipments.
In exports, the vessels KV Vision, KV Statendam, and KV Dortmund continue operations as scheduled towards Antwerp and Rotterdam. An additional departure is scheduled for July 16. However, this sailing is already fully booked. No further departures can be offered at present in either import or export operations.
Contargo notes that operations are suspended for safety reasons when water levels at Kaub fall between 50 and 60 centimeters. Based on current weather forecasts, the company does not expect any significant improvement in water levels in the coming days.
For the logistics industry, this situation presents additional challenges. Delays, transshipment to road transport, and higher storage and transportation costs may result. Companies should examine alternative transport solutions early and monitor supply chains continuously.