Low rainfall is reducing water levels in Europe’s Rhine River and disrupting transport in the waterway, Gibson Shipbrokers said in its tanker report (pdf). Low water levels in the river, which is used for cargo transport and fuel distribution, is causing draft restrictions and has reduced quantities of cargo on barges. Cargo vessels are restricted to hauling 40% less than they usually carry. While this is common around this time of year, the report notes that such disruptions are expected to become more frequent due to climate change.

Stakeholders are scrambling to adapt: Freight operators are starting to revamp fleets to allow them to navigate the shallower water, Bloomberg reports. German chemicals giant BASF is rerouting its logistics to trains and trucks, while German plastic manufacturer Covestro could be shifting some of its production to Belgium.

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