Shipping along parts of the Rhine River in southern Germany remains suspended due to elevated water levels caused by heavy rain and melting snow. The closure, initiated around Maxau and Speyer, is a result of rising water levels attributed to a sudden temperature increase following the snowmelt in the region. While shipping in northern sections, including key points like Duisburg, Cologne, and Mannheim, continues as usual despite increased water levels, the southern sector faces restrictions.
The closure at Maxau, a critical point along the Rhine, began on Tuesday, impeding vessels from traveling to Switzerland. The elevated water levels, a consequence of high precipitation and snowmelt, limit the vertical clearance under bridges, necessitating the temporary halt in shipping operations.
Forecasting services from the water level monitoring agency of the Rheinland-Pfalz state government suggest that water levels in the southern regions are gradually receding. There is optimism that shipping restrictions may be lifted around Maxau as early as Sunday. The Rhine, a crucial waterway for transporting commodities like minerals, coal, heating oil, grains, and animal feed, has faced challenges in recent years due to low water levels resulting from unusually dry summers. The authorities are closely monitoring the situation and are poised to reopen affected segments once conditions permit.