German industry is finding new ways to transport cargoes from coal to chemicals as increasingly frequent low water levels on the Rhine disrupt Europe's largest economy. But following extended periods of low water in 2018 and 2022, Rhine levels are again too low in parts of the river for cargo vessels to sail fully loaded when they can hold the equivalent of up to 150 trucks. At Kaub, the critical chokepoint for Rhine barges, water levels fell to their lowest this year earlier this week.
German industry is
finding new ways to transport cargoes from coal to chemicals as
increasingly frequent low water levels on the Rhine disrupt
Europe s largest economy. The 1,230 km .
ANALYSIS-German industry changes tack as river Rhine runs drier devdiscourse.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from devdiscourse.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
German industry is looking for alternative transportation methods as the Rhine continues to experience low water levels, negatively impacting freight shipping. The Rhine is an essential commercial route for up to 80% of German inland goods transportation. The decreased levels have caused a drop in the rivers capacity to the equivalent of 150 lorries and is concerning for firms dependent on river transportation, such as chemical makers Covestro and BASF. Both companies have responded by chartering low-water barges to transport raw materials and finished goods.
May 13 2021 Damen Marine Components (DMC) is making a special contribution to the innovative inland waterway tanker that is being built for BASF and Stolt Tankers. This shallow water tanker will be equipped with three manoeuvring systems and a total of seven rudders, which is unique in the industry. The tanker has a lightweight shallow water design, allowing the vessel to remain operational, even at very shallow water levels. The hull form is equipped with three manoeuvring systems. The outer systems consist of a Van der Velden® Three-rudder system with a Van der Velden® FLEX Tunnel in front, both on the left and right. These flexible tunnels are integrated into the hull and can be deployed and retracted at any time. When deployed, they optimise the water flow to the propellers. If the water depth is sufficient, the tunnels are superfluous and they will be retracted. The centre manoeuvring system has a single rudder to improve course stabili