Mehr als 40 Tage Ausfallzeit: Folgen des Niedrigwassers: Rheinfähre meldet Kurzarbeit an

In Düsseldorf and Dormagen, the low water levels have significantly impacted the operations of the Rheinfährbetriebe W. Jansen & Söhne. For the first time in their company's history, the business has requested reduced working hours, according to the local Rheinfähre. Owner Jens Jansen and his father and brother run the company, which also employs five full-time staff and five temporary workers.

The ferry connects Düsseldorf's southern area with Dormagen's Zons district, a popular tourist spot known for its medieval core. To date, the Zonser ferry has been out of service for over 40 days this year, exceeding the previous record of 46 days set in 2018. The current situation began to deteriorate in late July when the water level dropped considerably.

After some rains, the company resumed operations in late August. However, Jansen expressed hope that the situation would improve after the recent rainfall, noting that rain in southern Germany is essential for raising the water level at their location. While his employees take reduced working hours, financial assistance for the Jansen family owners is not available.

The situation is not yet threatening their existence, but it is affecting their financial foundation. Jansen expects the ferry to resume service only after a prolonged period of rain, which he believes could be weeks away. The Jansen brothers run the ferry business as a side job, with their father, who is 76 years old, still working full-time in the company.

Other Rheinfähren, such as the Bislicher ferry between Xanten and Wesel, the Weiß ferry in Cologne, the Hitdorfer ferry in Leverkusen, and the Kaub ferry in Rhineland-Palatinate, have also halted operations. The list of affected ferry businesses is extensive.