Waterways parched by hot summer affect German shipping and environment
272 views · Published 3 November 2018 · 3:16 · Indexed 30 September 2026
Channel: AP Archive · 2018 · News & Politics
(27 Oct 2018) A hot, dry summer has left German waterways at record low levels, causing chaos for the inland shipping industry, environmental damage and billions of euros of losses. It is a scenario that experts warn could portend things to come as global temperatures rise. In Magdeburg, the Elbe river has been so low that no ships carrying goods south to Leipzig or on to the Czech Republic have been able to pass through since the end of June. The river's down to a depth of about 50 centimetres (less than 20 inches) there, when at least double that level is needed for normal shipping traffic. The Rhine has hit its lowest levels ever at several points, and sandbanks have appeared that have never been seen before. Other major arteries like the Danube, Meuse, Weser and Main are all far below normal. On waterways that are still navigable, the lower levels have actually led to increased shipping traffic, as companies pack less weight onto boats so that they don't ride so low in the water, and thus have to send more vessels to carry the same amount of freight. That's sent freight prices skyrocketing, and some costs are already being felt by consumers, with higher prices at gas pumps and for home heating oil. In Berlin, the Spree river, which normally flows into the Havel river in the west of the city, has been taking water in from the Havel instead, said Derk Ehlert, from the city's environment department. Weather forecasts suggest there will be enough rain in the next few weeks to maintain the Spree's water levels, said Ehlert. But if the rain doesn't fall consistently for long enough, there will be water shortages. If that happens, said Ehlert, the sluices will have to be closed. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/be0b82405e33e1626c08090cdcabc629
