Low water levels on the Rhine, Danube and Elbe mean that inland waterway vessels can carry significantly less cargo. In some cases, vessels are now transporting only a third of their usual cargo volume. As a result, transport costs are rising, cargo space is becoming scarce and supply chains are coming under pressure.
The Rhine, over which a large proportion of Germany’s inland waterway freight transport takes place, is in a particularly critical state. Falling water levels reduce the transport capacity of vessels, increase costs and jeopardise supplies to industrial companies.
The consequences:
- Rising transport costs due to low-flow surcharges and additional journeys.
- Uncertain supply chains and longer transit times.
- Risk of production disruptions at chemical, steel, energy and industrial companies.
- A sustainable, resilient transport strategy is essential.
Low water levels, a shortage of skippers and congested roads are therefore putting increasing pressure on supply chains in inland waterway transport, leaving many companies facing the same question: how can supply chains be reliably maintained even under difficult conditions?
The solution: shift some of your transport to rail and secure capacity in critical situations.
Thanks to our continental intermodal network – the largest in Germany – you can quickly and reliably switch your shipments to existing rail links and transport your goods between the economic regions along the Rhine.
In short: when goods cannot be transported by water due to low water levels, the roads are overloaded and a shortage of drivers is limiting capacity, rail is THE sensible alternative. And Kombiverkehr is your ‘resilience partner’.
High-capacity rail links between Rotterdam, the Rhine-Ruhr area and the Basel region
Transport capacity even during low water levels and restrictions on inland waterway transport
Transport of containers, swap bodies and crane-loadable semi-trailers
Transport of dangerous goods and waste is possible
A Europe-wide network with over 110 terminals in 25 countries
Significant CO₂ savings of up to around 80 per cent compared with road transport alone
It is not only during periods of low water levels on the Rhine that our diverse range of rail services on the Rotterdam - Basel corridor offers you the perfect alternative routes – with daily gateway connections to other terminals in Germany and across Europe.
As a neutral partner, we provide you with access to a Europe-wide rail network. Where required, and where necessary for the entire route, we also organise flexible connections to loading and unloading points via independent trucking providers.
We are pleased to offer you:
- Analysis of your transport flows
- Identification of suitable intermodal connections
- Quick access to the network
- Operational advice from intermodal experts
Please contact us directly by email or telephone. We look forward to speaking with you.