Low water levels on the Rhine – how SupplyX is responding
The persistently low water levels on the Rhine once again demonstrate how important reliable partnerships are in logistics. With a view to possible capacity bottlenecks in inland waterway transport, SupplyX supports you in minimizing the impact on your supply chain.
Low water levels on the Rhine: What is currently happening
The gauge level in Kaub (Rhineland-Palatinate), which is decisive for navigation on the Rhine, is currently only slightly above 80 centimeters. The Elbe and Danube are also currently recording very low water levels. Many inland vessels can only operate at around one-third of their usual carrying capacity, as the lower available depths require significantly lighter loading.
Restricted navigability on major waterways is having an increasing impact on supply chains. In addition to higher freight costs and reduced transport capacity in the barge segment, some of the additional costs are being passed on through low-water surcharges. At the same time, the shift of volumes to rail and road is leading to increased demand for available capacity in these modes of transport.
What this means for you, and how SupplyX is responding
Thanks to forward-looking planning with SupplyX, customers using inland waterway transport were able to implement alternative solutions at an early stage and have been barely affected by the current restrictions.
At SupplyX, we continuously monitor the situation on the Rhine, Elbe and Danube and proactively take measures to keep your supply chains stable.
- Forward-looking planning: With AHEAD. By SupplyX we manage the entire end-to-end logistics process for selected customers. This allows us to identify potential bottlenecks at an early stage and automatically respond with appropriate measures.
- Flexible options: Thanks to our network, we can quickly adjust the modes of transport, for example by switching to rail intermodal transport or trucks to avoid delays.
- Close coordination: Together with affected customers, we identified suitable alternatives at an early stage and successfully implemented them.
- Continuous communication: We keep our customers informed about all relevant developments and coordinate solutions with them quickly and efficiently.
Our goal: Stability despite uncertainty
As part of the Otto Group and a partner to leading retail companies, we know how important reliability is in times of crisis. Our teams work closely with shipping companies and partners worldwide to keep your supply chain transparent, flexible and always able to respond.
Contact us if you need support planning your transport capacities or inventory levels. Together, we will develop the right strategy to guide your supply chain safely through this phase. Because forward-looking logistics makes all the difference.
