Rhine Drought Cuts Freight Flow 50%, Pushes Swiss Fuel Prices Up 16 Cents

The Rhine has fallen to its lowest water level on record, forcing cargo ships to cut loads in half and halting barge traffic to Switzerland. On August 11, German authorities measured just 15 centimetres of navigable depth at Kaub. One-quarter of Swiss mineral oil imports flow via Rhine barges, and the shortage has already pushed petrol prices up 12 to 16 cents per litre, according to Avenergy Suisse.

How the drought is strangling Swiss imports

The Rhine handles one-tenth of all Swiss imports, with mineral oil products like petrol and diesel accounting for over 20 percent of national consumption. Grain, coffee, cocoa, aluminium, and steel also arrive by barge because water transport is far cheaper than road or rail for heavy goods. By mid-August, the Rhine’s flow in Germany had fallen to 692 cubic metres per second, compared to a seasonal average of 1,900 cubic metres per second. Leon Van Dongen, who works for Rhenus Alpina, the largest terminal operator at Basel’s Kleinhüningen harbour, said this drought is more severe than the 2018 low-water crisis.

Fuel costs rise as ships reduce cargo

Avenergy Suisse reports petrol is now 12 to 16 cents per litre more expensive than usual due to the transport bottleneck. Freight vessels have slashed their loads to reduce draft depth and navigate shallower sections. Cargo vessels have reduced loads as a result, forcing shippers to move freight by truck instead. German states have even lifted weekend truck traffic restrictions to compensate for lost barge capacity.

Basel’s gateway to Swiss trade faces a 34-year-old problem

The bottleneck at Kaub, south of Koblenz, has been known for three decades. A deepening project has been discussed for 34 years but never completed. Basel became Switzerland’s import gateway in 1904 when Rudolf Gelpke proved steamships could navigate the Rhine upstream against strong currents with a coal cargo. Today, that same route is nearly impassable during drought.

Drought exposes Europe’s water crisis

July 2026 saw the Rhine’s discharge fall to its lowest level on record, according to the Copernicus Climate Service. The Seine and Danube also hit record lows. The drought has disrupted irrigation, energy production, and navigation across the continent. For Swiss consumers and businesses, the crisis means higher fuel costs and delayed shipments until autumn rains refill the river.

Final Thoughts

The Rhine drought is a direct hit to Swiss household budgets and supply chains. With petrol up 16 cents per litre and barge traffic halted, expect fuel prices to stay elevated and delivery times to lengthen until water levels recover.

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