The German Steel Manufacturers Association (WV Stahl) has warned that low water levels in the Rhine River disrupt logistics operations and threaten the security of supplies in the steel industry, which requires strengthening transport infrastructure and expanding alternative transportation options. Managing Director of the German Steel Association (WV Stahl) Kerstin Maria Rippel participated in a meeting organized by Federal Minister of Transport Steffen Bilger, which brought together government and industry representatives to discuss the impact of persistently low water levels on German industry. RIPPEL called the meeting an important signal warning that the ongoing low water levels are creating serious problems for the industry. She stressed that the decrease in water levels poses risks to the security of supplies and competitiveness of Germany as an industrial center, emphasizing the importance of inland waterway transport for the metallurgical sector. According to Rippel, about a third of the German steel industry's cargo volume is transported by inland waterways. Noting that companies have expanded storage facilities and developed more flexible logistics chains after previous periods of low water, Rippel stressed that enterprises cannot independently compensate for structural deficiencies in the country's transport infrastructure . . She called for accelerated implementation of measures to improve navigation conditions on the Middle and Lower Rhine, strengthen rail transport as a reliable alternative route and RIPPEL also stressed the need for continued discussions, supported by concrete measures and a mandatory timetable for their implementation, stating: "Low water levels should not become a permanent competitive disadvantage for the German industrial sector.", , , ,
, Author: Editorial staff of STEELRADAR
steelradar.com
