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Rhine Water Levels Drop, Shipping Costs Jump 33% in Germany
Rhine shipping costs jump 33% as heatwave cuts vessel loads to 20% capacity. Tanker barge rates from Rotterdam to Karlsruhe hit €70 a ton.
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Low water levels from a heatwave are forcing cargo vessels on the Rhine river in Germany to sail part-loaded, pushing up freight costs, commodity traders said Monday.
Shallow water at the Kaub chokepoint and south of Duisburg means vessel operators are adding surcharges to compensate for reduced cargo capacity. Loads now have to be split across multiple ships, traders said. Vessels are often able to carry only 20% of their normal load.