Freight carried by waterways drops to lowest level in 15 years

Freight traffic on Dutch waterways plummeted to its lowest level in 15 years during the summer drought, as low river levels forced barge operators to transport lighter loads. According to the national statistics agency CBS, cargo carried by water decreased by 19% in August compared to the previous year, with a total of 21.8 million tonnes transported that month, the lowest August level in 15 years.

The average load per vessel remained at 1300 tonnes, similar to the last drought in 2022, while other periods averaged 1500 tonnes. The Dutch infrastructure ministry declared a water shortage in mid-July due to low rainfall and falling river levels. Sluice gates were closed in coastal areas to prevent seawater from contaminating drinking water supplies, and river cruises were canceled or shortened, leaving houseboats exposed on dried-up riverbeds.

The Rhine's water flow dropped to its lowest ever recorded in August, and while recent rains have improved the situation, the current flow of 700 cubic meters per second remains far below the early September average. Cross-border traffic with Germany saw the most significant impact, with 39.7% less freight leaving the Netherlands and 49.5% less entering.

Goods transport also fell by 9.5% in July, following a 6.3% increase in the first half of the year. More petrol and diesel were transported by water between January and June to compensate for the decline in Middle Eastern supplies following the start of the conflict in Iran.