Tightening barge availability hampers Rhine deliveries

摘要

TIGHTENING availability OF barges on the River Rhine, a key transport channel for coal in Northwest Europe, is causing difficulties for some German utilities that are looking for prompt deliveries. Water levels on the Rhine have been low for more than three months, and are now at levels where barges can load at only about 30 of capacity. The maximum barge capacity is around 2,800t. The situation means that up to three barges are required to transport the same volume as one barge when water levels are high, severely tightening barge availability.