Rhine closes to barge traffic, with water depth set to hit record lows

Low water levels resulting from a lengthy heatwave across Europe have forced the closure of the Rhine for the first time in four years.
Closure of the German waterway was announced late on Friday as water levels on the Kaub gauge hit 37cm – 41cm is necessary for operations, albeit at reduced loads, and many operators have been many running  barge services at 20% capacity.
And over the weekend, water levels dropped …