Rhine Faces Closure Threat as 3 Other Critical Oil Waterways Are Already Lost
Updated
Updated · Bloomberg · Jul 28
Rhine Faces Closure Threat as 3 Other Critical Oil Waterways Are Already Lost
3 articles · Updated · Bloomberg · Jul 28
Summary
The Rhine is now at risk of joining the Strait of Hormuz, Black Sea ports and the Red Sea’s Bab el-Mandeb as a fourth critical oil and industrial waterway effectively lost.
Western Europe’s industry is especially exposed because the river links Dutch ports with chemical plants, refineries, steel mills and coal-fired power stations across Germany, France and Switzerland.
BASF, Germany’s biggest chemical producer, called the river indispensable, warning that without the Rhine, industrial production in western Europe would collapse.
That threat follows forecasts that water levels at Kaub could fall to 24-25 centimeters this week, leaving cargo vessels operating at only 15%-20% capacity and disrupting deliveries.