The water level in the Rhine River, a key shipping route in Germany and Europe, has fallen to a record low due to the ongoing drought, causing huge disruption to the shipping industry with some vessels unable to sail.

A lack of rain combined with an unrelenting heatwave has led to "exceptionally low" water in some areas of Germany’s most important inland waterway.

Officials have warned that the crisis would further compound in the upcoming days with the water level in the Kaub, a common reference point in the Rhine, predicted to drop as low as 35 centimetres on August 15, according to estimates by the German Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration on Friday.

Most barges require water levels above 40 cm to travel.

On Friday, container logistics service company Contargo said that it would discontinue its barge operations on the Middle and upper Rhine river, transporting what goods it could overground to its terminals on the Lower Rhine, reports Reuters news agency.

"Due to the difficult situation we regretfully have to point out that we can no longer guarantee to meet all deadlines," it said in a statement.

The Deutsche Bank economists said the situation is reminiscent of 2018 when a similar problem with the river led to a "standstill of freight shipping" and reduced German economic growth by an estimated 0.2 per cent.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-stories-limit-purchase-as-people-empty-shelves-of-bottled-water-amid-drought-506423" hreflang="en">UK stores limit purchase as people empty shelves of bottled water amid drought</a>

The experts now estimate that Rhine disruption this year could plunge the GDP level by half a percentage point.

Credit rating agency Moody's said that the Rhine situation will increase costs for chemicals companies, especially those with production facilities on the upper Rhine, and could lead to production cuts.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-heatwave-uk-declares-drought-across-eight-areas-of-england-506260">Amid heatwave, UK declares drought across eight areas of England</a>

"I think it's more dangerous this time because the supply situation is tight anyway and the coal-fired power plants in particular, which are extremely important for generating electricity, are likely to be hit harder,” Jens-Oliver Niklasch, an economist at LBBW (Landesbank Baden-Württemberg), told Reuters news agency.

(With inputs from agencies)

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The water level in the Rhine River, a key shipping route in Germany and Europe, has fallen to a record low due to the ongoing drought, causing huge disruption to the shipping industry with some vessels unable to sail.

The water level in the Rhine River, a key shipping route in Germany and Europe, has fallen to a record low due to the ongoing drought, causing huge disruption to the shipping industry with some vessels unable to sail. A lack of rain combined with an unrelenting heatwave has led to "exceptionally low" water in some areas of Germany’s most important inland waterway. Officials have warned that the crisis would further compound in the upcoming days with the water level in the Kaub, a common reference point in the Rhine, predicted to drop as low as 35 centimetres on August 15, according to estimates by the German Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration on Friday. Most barges require water levels above 40 cm to travel. On Friday, container logistics service company Contargo said that it would discontinue its barge operations on the Middle and upper Rhine river, transporting what goods it could overground to its terminals on the Lower Rhine, reports Reuters news agency. "Due to the difficult situation we regretfully have to point out that we can no longer guarantee to meet all deadlines," it said in a statement. The Deutsche Bank economists said the situation is reminiscent of 2018 when a similar problem with the river led to a "standstill of freight shipping" and reduced German economic growth by an estimated 0.2 per cent. Also read | UK stores limit purchase as people empty shelves of bottled water amid drought The experts now estimate that Rhine disruption this year could plunge the GDP level by half a percentage point. Credit rating agency Moody's said that the Rhine situation will increase costs for chemicals companies, especially those with production facilities on the upper Rhine, and could lead to production cuts. Also read | Amid heatwave, UK declares drought across eight areas of England "I think it's more dangerous this time because the supply situation is tight anyway and the coal-fired power plants in particular, which are extremely important for generating electricity, are likely to be hit harder,” Jens-Oliver Niklasch, an economist at LBBW (Landesbank Baden-Württemberg), told Reuters news agency. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Germany’s Rhine River water level falls to new lows, threatens to disrupt shipping industry

According to reports, transport prices have shot up as drought and hot weather have affected water levels in the river Rhine in Germany leading cargo vessels to reduce loads during transportation.

Reports claim shallow waters have&nbsp;hit shipping in Germany&nbsp;with some vessels sailing at just 25 per cent capacity. German firefighters last week battled intense wildfires in eastern Germany as Europe reported record heat levels.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/how-climate-change-drives-heatwaves-and-wildfires-500655">Also Read in Pics:&nbsp;How climate change drives heatwaves and wildfires</a>

According to a study, climate change has cost Germany $147 billion between 2000 and 2021 with the most damage occurring in the last few years. Rhineland was hit by deadly floods last year as the study showed abnormally hot and dry summers in 2018 and 2019. At least 180 were killed as a result of flash floods a year ago, however, this year Germany has experienced extreme weather with temperatures going up to 40 degrees Celsius.

Watch:&nbsp;Europe bakes in third&nbsp;heatwave since June

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Parts of Germany experienced surging heat&nbsp;in June as European nations sizzled under abnormally hot conditions.&nbsp;Last year, Europe witnessed the hottest summer on record.

River Rhine, which runs along the France-Germany border, has been hit by weather changes as&nbsp;reports indicate&nbsp;cargo ships taking up lesser loads to avoid hitting the bottom of the river due to low water level. France has also been hit by drought amid the heatwave, affecting fishermen and boat owners.

(With inputs from agencies)

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According to reports, transport prices have shot up as drought and hot weather have affected water levels in the river Rhine in Germany leading cargo vessels to reduce loads during transportation.

According to reports, transport prices have shot up as drought and hot weather have affected water levels in the river Rhine in Germany leading cargo vessels to reduce loads during transportation. Reports claim shallow waters have hit shipping in Germany with some vessels sailing at just 25 per cent capacity. German firefighters last week battled intense wildfires in eastern Germany as Europe reported record heat levels. Also Read in Pics: How climate change drives heatwaves and wildfires According to a study, climate change has cost Germany $147 billion between 2000 and 2021 with the most damage occurring in the last few years. Rhineland was hit by deadly floods last year as the study showed abnormally hot and dry summers in 2018 and 2019. At least 180 were killed as a result of flash floods a year ago, however, this year Germany has experienced extreme weather with temperatures going up to 40 degrees Celsius. Watch: Europe bakes in third heatwave since June Parts of Germany experienced surging heat in June as European nations sizzled under abnormally hot conditions. Last year, Europe witnessed the hottest summer on record. River Rhine, which runs along the France-Germany border, has been hit by weather changes as reports indicate cargo ships taking up lesser loads to avoid hitting the bottom of the river due to low water level. France has also been hit by drought amid the heatwave, affecting fishermen and boat owners. (With inputs from agencies) (WATCH WION LIVE HERE)

Rhine river hit by drought conditions, hampers German cargo shipping

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