In landlocked Switzerland, the Rhine plays a strategic role in foreign trade and is a major driver of the country’s prosperity. But drought conditions this summer threaten shipping on the river. What then?
At 375 km, the Rhine is Switzerland’s longest river.
It begins its 1,230-km journey across Europe in the Swiss Alps – in Lake Toma in Graubünden, to be precise – and crosses Liechtenstein, Austria, Germany, and France, before ultimately emptying into the North Sea in the Netherlands near Rotterdam.
But like many Swiss waterways this summer, the Rhine is also falling victim to intense drought caused by a series of heatwaves that have hit Europe in past months.
Because of extremely hot temperatures and no sustained rainfall, water in Swiss rivers and lakes is at its lowest level in two decades.
READ MORE: Swiss rivers and lakes at lowest levels in 20 years
What is happening?
Drought conditions are on the verge of halting shipping on the Rhine, with water levels upstream at Kaub, Germany, dropping extremely low.
If the drought continues, shipping to and from Basel – a key maritime hub for the country – will be paralysed.
Boats will therefore be unable to navigate this critical stretch of the river, a situation that will have serious consequences for the Swiss economy.
Important for international trade
The Rhine is landlocked Switzerland’s primary commercial shipping link to the North Sea, guaranteeing the country access to the largest European seaports, namely Antwerp and Rotterdam.
It goes without saying that Switzerland’s export-dependent economy needs this route to be open and fully operational.
According to the government, about 10 percent of Switzerland’s entire foreign trade is conducted via this river.
For instance, around 30 percent of petroleum products are transported via the Rhine to Basel.
All the jet fuel required for Zurich Airport is also delivered by tanker via the Rhine.
“These figures show how important Rhine shipping is for supplying the country,” the government stated.
