Struggles with Shipping Due to Low Rhine Waters: Thyssenkrupp Empties Ships Lighter
Rhine Water Levels Deplete: Thyssenkrupp Reduces Vessel Loads - River Rhine's Low Water Levels: Thyssenkrupp's Shift to Smaller Ships Transportation
Hey there! Here's a lowdown on what's happening with big companies like Thyssenkrupp and Covestro due to the drought on the Rhine.
Thyssenkrupp, a heavyweight in steel production, is grappling with shipping snags caused by the river's ailing waters. They need an impressive 60,000 tons of raw materials daily - iron ore and coal - that usually rock up by boat. But, you know what they say, when the going gets tough, the tough get creative! In this case, they're adjusting their ship-loading game.
"We're sailing lighter," their spokesperson said, "to keep our vessels afloat amidst the shrinking waters." This means they're carrying fewer goods per ship, but more voyages keep the raw materials pumping in. No raw material shortage there, mate!
Chemical giant Covestro isn't slacking off either. They're bringing in extra ships and ramping up the number of trips, building up raw material stocks to cope with the low water levels, and shedding excess finished and intermediate products to prepare for possible disruptions.
But here's the kicker, economists at the RWI Leibniz Institute for Economic Research are worried about possible economic growth dips due to the river's woes. RWI researcher Manuel Frondel suggests it's time to tap into the infrastructure fund for deepening the Rhine, STAT!
Now you're in the know - shipping troubles on the Rhine are causing big companies some headaches, but they're riding the wave as best they can. And if things don't improve, there might be a need for some serious infrastructure updates!
- Thyssenkrupp, in response to the low water levels in the Rhine, is maintaining its operations by employing a strategy of sailing lighter, with fewer goods per ship and more frequent voyages, to ensure a steady flow of raw materials such as iron ore and coal.
- Covestro, another major player in the industry, is also mitigating the effects of the river's drought by bringing in extra ships and increasing the number of trips, thereby building up raw material stocks and reducing excess finished and intermediate products to prepare for potential disruptions.
- Economists at the RWI Leibniz Institute for Economic Research have voiced concerns about possible economic growth dips due to the river's woes and have suggested using the infrastructure fund for immediate measures to deepen the Rhine in order to address the situation.
