A ship lies dry between the groynes on the Rhine. The Rhine is expected to flow less and less water in the coming days. Image: DPA/PA Images A ship lies dry between the groynes on the Rhine. The Rhine is expected to flow less and less water in the coming days. Image: DPA/PA Images SHIPPING COMPANIES PREPARED to halt the transport of goods on the Rhine as water levels in Germany’s biggest river neared a critically low point on Saturday.
At one bottleneck, near the town of Kaub on the Middle Rhine, an official gauge measured the water level at 37cm centimetres on Saturday. Logistics company Contargo said on Friday that it was preparing to halt shipping on the Upper and Middle Rhine for safety reasons and planned to shift some of its cargo on to trucks.Companies along the Rhine that rely on ships to receive raw materials and deliver finished goods are expected to face delays and shortages.
Meteorologists forecast rain in the coming days, though it was unclear whether it would be enough to keep water levels on the Rhine from dropping to a point that affects shipping.
Great we have loads of lorries.