Persistently low water levels on the Rhine continue to place significant pressure on intermodal transport and are expected to affect operations in the coming weeks and months. As the Rhine is a key inland waterway for container flows between seaports and industrial hubs in Germany, France and Switzerland, reduced barge capacity remains a critical bottleneck. Less inland waterway capacity increases the load on rail and road, where available transport capacity is already under noticeable strain.
In addition to this ongoing situation, further operational risks for intermodal supply chains will arise in early September. On 4 September, a strike is planned in the Dutch ports of Rotterdam, Amsterdam and Zeeland from 11:15 to 19:00. During this period, vessel and terminal handling will largely come to a standstill. On 9 September, a 24‑hour strike is scheduled in Dutch rail transport, with potential effects on freight movements towards Germany.
These events coincide with the continued low water levels on the Rhine. Barge services will remain limited on several sections, making it necessary to shift more volumes to rail and truck. This adds further pressure to already tight capacities and may lead to delays, reduced equipment availability and longer transit times, as alternative modes cannot fully compensate for the restrictions on inland waterway transport.
Given these combined factors, the situation in intermodal transport is likely to tighten further in the short term. Early shipment planning, close coordination and flexible routing concepts are essential to keep supply chains as stable as possible under these conditions.
Thank you for your understanding. We remain available to assist you with any questions or concerns.
