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Business Daily: Why Europe’s inland shipping network is drying up

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Why Europe’s inland shipping network is drying up

07/09/2022 GMT

BBC World Service - Business Daily, Why Europe’s inland shipping network is drying up

Drought is causing huge problems in Europe, especially for river barges and their cargo.

Europe’s rivers are at historically low levels. This means inland barges are carrying much less cargo, costing everyone more. Can the industry adapt to a changing climate?

As Europe’s historically dry summer continues, Matthew Kenyon takes a trip on the barge Mezzoforte, and talks to skipper Dirk Pols about the challenges of navigating as river depths fall. 

We hear from Cornelis van Dorsser of the Dutch Inland Shipping Association about how the industry is preparing for the continued impacts of climate change. 

Economist Saskia Meuchelböck tells us about the economic effects of the last major dry period, just four years ago, when a month of low water on the Rhine knocked 0.4% off Germany’s GDP, and hydrologist Saskia Werners explains how barge captains, industry, importers and the public have to expect more of the same.

Presenter / producer: Matthew Kenyon
Image: The Mezzoforte; Credit; Matthew Kenyon / BBC

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