Rhine at Record Low: German Shipping Grinds to Halt as Heatwave Bites

Germany’s main river artery, the Rhine, has fallen to a new record low, forcing some shipping operators to suspend cargo services. The drop in water levels is a direct result of the ongoing summer heatwave, which has also sparked wildfires in several regions across the country. With the river becoming too shallow for heavy freight vessels, supply chains for goods like fuel and chemicals face fresh disruption. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely as the dry spell continues.