Low water in the Rhine: Deutsche Bahn is examining the reactivation of decommissioned wagons

Ship transport is currently difficult due to low water levels in the Rhine. Deutsche Bahn wants to help and, according to a report, actually put decommissioned freight wagons back into operation. According to a report in the Rheinische Post, this plan emerges from a paper by DB Cargo boss Bernhard Osburg for the “Cross-mode coordination round of low water”.

The Rhine, the country's most important waterway, is currently carrying less water than ever before. Inland shipping is therefore severely restricted.

“The reactivation of permanently parked freight wagons is being examined and prepared,” says the paper available to the newspaper. In addition, further wagon capacities should be developed “in the European market”. DB Cargo could mobilize 900 wagons - 300 of them immediately. “900 wagons replace 200 inland waterway vessels,” Osburg is quoted as saying.

Low water drives up prices

In view of the low water levels, Federal Transport Minister Steffen Bilger (CDU) announced that freight should be shifted from inland waterways to rail and road. In several federal states, Sunday driving bans for trucks were temporarily relaxed or lifted. The railway should also transport more goods.

Due to the transport problems caused by low water levels, experts are now expecting consumer prices to rise - such as economist Veronika Grimm. Low water could “unnecessarily drive up prices,” Grimm told the Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger. The effects can be felt in both chemistry and the energy market. “The transport of oil to refineries is affected by the low water levels,” said Grimm.

Economics demands more foresight from politicians

How strongly prices react for different raw materials depends on the storage capacities the companies have built up. With regard to adaptation to climate change, Grimm criticized a lack of foresight in politics. Relaxing the Sunday driving ban for trucks is a correct measure, "but it would be good if we were prepared for such situations instead of discussing emergency measures ad hoc," said Grimm. These effects of climate change are predictable.