Ships able to increase loads on Rhine after sharp rise in water levels

Rain over the Easter weekend in Germany has raised Rhine River water levels, with vessels able to carry more cargo, though the river is still too shallow for normal sailings, commodity traders said on Tuesday.

Extreme lack of rain in March and April resulted in low water levels hampering April shipping on all of the river south of Duisburg and Cologne, including the chokepoint of Kaub, traders said.