The ongoing drought has left the Rhine with little water. As a result, ships can barely transport their cargo, hitting companies that depend on raw materials like coal. The rail company now wants to step in with additional freight trains and more trucks.
But the plans are hitting limits: the rail network is dilapidated in many places, and numerous lines are closed for urgent repairs. Deutsche Bahn points to an online portal called “Via Libera,” which is meant to show available routes for freight trains. The name translates as “green light on open track” – a promise that is hard to keep in the current situation.
The problems at Deutsche Bahn are making things worse. Delays, construction sites, and infrastructure bottlenecks make it difficult to provide the extra capacity. Yet more rail traffic would be urgently needed right now to cushion the effects of the low water.
The economic impact is considerable: many industrial companies along the Rhine depend on the waterway. If the drought continues, supply shortages and rising prices threaten. The rail company is under pressure to keep its promises and ensure transport despite the difficult conditions.
Source: www.sueddeutsche.de
