Spitzentreffen in Bonn: Bilger kündigt Sofortmaßnahmen gegen Niedrigwasser-Folgen an

Bundesverkehrsminister Steffen Bilger (CDU) announced several emergency measures at a high-level water conference in Bonn aimed at helping the economy maintain supply chains along crucial waterways like the Rhine, Danube, and Elbe. Bilger stated, "We cannot control the weather, but we can ensure our economy fares better during these challenging weeks."

During the roundtable with business leaders and associations, Bilger proposed discussing exemptions from the no-truck-driving rule on weekends and holidays for specific goods. Similarly, he emphasized the need for faster approval of heavy transport rerouted to roads.

Bilger mentioned that he had already discussed these issues with the regional governments and noted their strong willingness to cooperate. The federal Autobahn operator has been instructed to prioritize bypass routes over avoidable construction sites. Deutsche Bahn Cargo, the state-owned railway company, has promised additional support to industries affected by the low water levels, including increased rail transportation.

Bilger confirmed that this company would collaborate with others across Europe to provide extra capacity and coordinate potential buffer strategies with energy providers. He highlighted that extreme low water levels represent a concrete challenge not only for the economy but also for public supply.