Energie: Darum drohen der Schweiz zum Beginn der Heizsaison Engpässe bei der Heizöl-Versorgung

As the heating season begins, Switzerland faces potential shortages in heating oil supply. In the region of Bern, buying 3,000 liters of heating oil costs 171 francs (approximately 183 euros) per 100 liters, according to the dealer Volenergy. Comparatively, the official reference price in the canton of Zurich at the end of June was still 117.50 francs (about 126 euros), whereas a year ago it was around 98 francs (around 105 euros).

The price surge directly impacts the population, as nearly every third residential building in Switzerland is heated with heating oil. The price increase is primarily due to the war in Iran and its consequences for global supply chains and energy markets. However, the strained supply is also caused by low water levels on the Rhine, which is typically a central route for transporting raw materials.

The Swiss Federal Economic Supply (WL) reported in their September evaluation that "for mineral oil imports into Switzerland, the Rhine is practically not usable" as of the end of September. Although ships can still navigate the Rhine at Basel with a draft of about 2.5 meters, the water levels at the Waals dams of Kembs, Birsfelden, and Augst are too low for this.

Meanwhile, in Germany, the middle Rhine region is experiencing one of the lowest water levels since the crisis year of 2018, with levels dropping to zero several days between September 25th and October 8th, reaching as low as ten centimeters in late October. This severely restricts freight transport on the Rhine. The situation is comparable to the worst low-water events in the past decade, according to the Rhine operators.

Since June and July, the water levels were even lower than during the crisis year of 2018, severely affecting river traffic. The German section of the Rhine is also the main supplier to Switzerland. In 2025, according to Avenergy, only 38,800 tonnes of mineral oil, including heating oil and diesel, reached the Basel ports, nearly 80% less than a year prior.

Food and chemical imports also dropped by more than three-quarters in August. The Landesversorgung noted that only isolated ships with 300 to 400 tonne cargoes are currently operating on the Rhine. The situation is especially critical for kerosene, as the market supply might "tighten significantly from mid-October". The Landesversorgung reported that storage facilities only cover 76 days instead of the planned 90 days for kerosene, and only limited shipments for gasoline and diesel were allowed due to the only Swiss refinery in Cressier being offline due to a defect.

Importers will have to rely more on rail transport; in the past year, nearly one-third of oil imports already arrived by train in Switzerland. However, rail capacity is already heavily saturated, reported the Landesversorgung. Due to the lack of capacities on the tracks, wagons, and personnel, Volenergy highlighted that not all losses on the Rhine can be replaced.

This could lead to "supply shortages", according to Volenergy. Germany's supply situation is also strained, creating competition on the market for logistics. Volenergy stated that "of course we notice that everyone is demanding goods, the main problem is the limited available logistics". In Germany, Aral has reported limitations at individual filling stations, and the Free Tank Stations Association warns of temporary shortages.

The Landesversorgung does not expect a rapid improvement in the supply situation. Forecasts indicate that "delivery problems could arise" with heating oil due to strong demand in autumn and winter, as the demand was low throughout the summer. Volenergy delivered 30% less heating oil in September compared to the previous year, with tank levels reaching their lowest point in five years.

Deliveries were still on schedule as demand was moderate; however, customers typically order only when the tank is almost empty. This could result in longer delivery times at the beginning of winter or around Christmas.