Low Rhine Water Levels Force Container Cargo onto Strained European Rail and Road

Low water levels on the Rhine River have severely curtailed barge capacity, forcing container cargo onto already congested road and rail networks across Germany and Switzerland. Rail bookings face delays of several weeks and acute trucking shortages have left up to 30% of displaced cargo stranded. Terminal restrictions in major hubs like Rotterdam and Antwerp also risk exacerbating seaport congestion as barge traffic recovers.