Drought Disrupts Shipping Routes on Europe's Major Waterways

A recent publication by Reuters highlights the impact of a summer heatwave on vital shipping routes in Europe, causing water levels to drop significantly adn leading to increased costs and delays for cargo transport along the Rhine and Danube rivers.

In early July, Budapest experienced sweltering temperatures reaching 95 degrees Fahrenheit, following a month where only 17% of typical rainfall was recorded—marking June as the driest since 1901. This severe drought has forced cargo ships navigating the Danube to operate at merely 30-40% of their usual capacity.Consequently,ship operators have had no choice but to impose surcharges on cargo owners that can soar up to 100% for underloaded vessels.

Germany is facing similar challenges with soaring temperatures contributing to low water levels in the Rhine River.In Kaub, a critical transit point, vessels are limited to just 50% capacity while those passing through Duisburg and Cologne are operating at around 40-50%. Although some rain is anticipated during the week of July 7 that may provide slight relief in both Germany and Hungary, extreme heat is expected to linger throughout much of Western Europe this summer.

Read more: Ocean Carriers Warn of No End in Sight for Global Shipping Logjam

The Danube and Rhine rank as Western Europe’s first and second longest rivers respectively,serving as essential arteries for transporting various goods such as coal,automotive parts,grains,and chemicals. The current low water situation coincides with ongoing strikes at Belgium’s Port of Antwerp alongside reports of congestion across multiple European shipping hubs. Additionally, a recent heatwave triggered technical failures at Rotterdam’s Port on July 1st; operators had no option but to temporarily shut down two truck terminals while repairs were underway.