Europe's Heat Wave Disrupts Key River Shipping Route

• Water levels on the Rhine at Kaub have fallen to a record low of 11 cm, below the previous record of 25 cm set in 2018.
• The shallow point at Kaub effectively bisects the Rhine, a crucial waterway connecting the North Sea to Switzerland and linked to the Danube, impacting trade across Europe.
• Companies like BASF and Thyssenkrupp are experiencing supply chain issues, with BASF considering 'force majeure' due to the low water levels.
• The disruption could reduce German GDP growth by 0.3% this year, and German states are suspending Sunday truck driving bans to mitigate transport bottlenecks.

Record low water levels on the Rhine River at Kaub, Germany, are severely disrupting shipping, a vital artery for European industry. This extreme weather event is causing significant economic losses for German companies and is projected to impact German GDP growth, with major industrial players already facing operational challenges.