Archive · 11 Sep 2026
Rhine water levels fall again, raising cargo shipping costs
The Rhine is an important river used to move goods in Germany and Europe.
This week, mostly dry weather made the river shallower.
Ships cannot carry as much cargo when the water is low.
Companies must use more ships or move some goods by road and rail.
That has made shipping more expensive.
Tanker prices from Rotterdam to Karlsruhe rose sharply compared with last week.
The water level at Kaub was about 21 centimeters on Friday.
Officials do not expect a big improvement next week, although rain could keep levels from falling further.
Mostly dry weather has lowered Rhine water levels again this week, the inland navigation agency said.
Vessels are sailing with less cargo, forcing shipments to be spread across several ships.
Tanker transport prices from Rotterdam to Karlsruhe rose to about €165-€170 per ton, from around €100 last week.
The water gauge at Kaub fell to about 21 centimeters on Friday, down from 34 centimeters on Monday and 50 centimeters last week.
Germany does not expect major improvement next week, while low water has caused higher costs, logistics bottlenecks and reduced production.
- Who
- German companies, commodity traders, vessel operators and the country’s inland navigation agency are affected or involved.
- What
- Falling Rhine water levels are raising cargo shipping costs and limiting how much vessels can carry.
- When
- The decline was reported on Friday, after mostly dry weather during the week; no major improvement is expected in the coming week.
- Where
- Along the Rhine in Germany, particularly at the Kaub chokepoint near Koblenz, with tanker prices measured between Rotterdam and Karlsruhe.
- Why
- Mostly dry weather, successive heatwaves and scant rainfall reduced water levels, making river transport more difficult.
- Kaub water gauge
- About 21 centimeters on Friday, down from 34 centimeters on Monday and 50 centimeters the previous week.
- Tanker transport price
- About €165-€170 per ton from Rotterdam to Karlsruhe, compared with around €100 the previous week.
- Expected conditions
- No major improvement is expected in the coming week; possible rain could keep levels near current readings.
- Shipping impact
- Vessels are sailing part-loaded, and cargo loads are being distributed among several ships.
- Alternative transport
- More freight has shifted to road and railway transport.
- Industrial impact
- German companies have faced higher transport costs, logistics bottlenecks and curbed production.
- River importance
- The Rhine is a vital route for grain, metal ores, coal and refined oil products.