Low Danube water halts freight traffic through Wachau

Low water levels on the Danube have brought freight traffic through the Wachau section to an almost complete standstill, ORF reported Wednesday. Cargo ships operating there can carry only small loads to avoid running aground.

The river gauge at Kienstock in the Krems district fell below 100 centimetres on Monday. Although the shipping channel is significantly deeper, it is no longer deep enough for fully loaded vessels.

With a channel depth of 1.5 metres, ships that normally carry 2,000 tonnes can load only 200 to 300 tonnes, said Gerhard Gussmagg, managing director of the Rhenus Danube port in Krems. He said operating under those conditions was not economically viable.

Ship arrivals at the port have dropped sharply. The port employs 70 people and its warehouses are full, but there have been no layoffs. Gussmagg said activity could recover once rain raises the water level.

Some goods are being transported by rail or truck instead. However, Gussmagg said a 2,000-tonne shipload would require about 80 trucks, creating significantly more paperwork and a shortage of available vehicles. Industrial goods in particular depend on transport by water.

River cruises restricted

Low water levels have also disrupted river cruises. Via Donau, the state waterway operator, said cruises are currently possible only to a limited extent, with five landing stations closed.

Birgit Brandner-Wallner, managing director of Donau Schiffstationen, said many ships were avoiding the Wachau. Her company operates 36 landing stations, five of which are currently not being used.

Fewer ships are operating, and those that do stop at landing stations are staying longer and arranging more bus excursions, Brandner-Wallner said. This can block the next ships waiting to arrive. Passenger numbers on board are also lower.

Scheduled services have been affected as well. DDSG is currently offering only a limited timetable in the Wachau, with three sightseeing trips a day. Some ferries have completely stopped carrying cars, although pedestrians and cyclists can still cross the Danube.

The financial losses caused by the restricted shipping traffic cannot yet be estimated.