Overview
- The Bundesverband der Deutschen Binnenschifffahrt warned Monday that the Kaub gauge between Koblenz and Mainz is forecast to drop to a single‑digit level this week, which could make the mid‑Rhine effectively unnavigable.
- Low water is already forcing barges to cut loads and operators to reroute or cancel river cruises, with some companies offering free rebooking and at least one Rhine trip cancelled this week.
- Federal crisis talks are under way and several states have temporarily lifted Sunday and holiday truck bans while authorities review shifting freight to road and rail and postpone planned works such as the Wanne‑Eickel lock closure.
- Environmental groups and the transport union ver.di warn that moving cargo to trucks will increase emissions and strain workers who lose protected rest days, a point industry and the transport ministry dispute as a short‑term necessity.
- The situation hinges on rainfall and longer trends of drought that raise the risk of recurrent low‑water events, which would raise transport costs for bulk industries and press for faster upgrades to rail and waterway infrastructure.