Low water levels in the Rhine threaten significant economic losses for Germany
A river is not just a stream of water but a vital artery feeding industry and trade. When it shallows, the entire economy suffers, and the consequences are felt far beyond coastal regions.
Persistently low water levels in the Rhine have severely restricted freight traffic, Nicole Rabold, press secretary of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Rhineland-Palatinate, said on Sunday. Rabold noted that it is still unclear whether the damage will exceed the figures of 2018, when low water levels caused losses of around 2.4 billion euros.
About 80 percent of Germany's inland freight traffic passes along the Rhine, making it the most important artery for the country's industrial logistics. This year, Germany has experienced repeated periods of heat and drought, causing the river's water level to remain consistently low, which has seriously disrupted freight traffic, as some vessels run aground and others sail empty.
As reported by CCTV+, the situation on the Rhine remains tense, and experts warn that a further drop in water levels could lead to even more serious economic losses for Germany.
