Contargo prepares for low water

Contargo prepares for the summer of the century

Marvin Meyke, 24.07.2019, 11:00

Contargo prepares for low water

June 2019 was the warmest June since weather records began - a possible sign that a long summer with low water levels on the Rhine is imminent, as in 2018. As a precautionary measure, Contargo has therefore commissioned the conversion of four barges in its fleet.

The modified ships have 10-15 cm more draught in small water as a result of the conversion. At two shipyards in Antwerp and Dordrecht, a plate was welded to each of the four ships so that they only have to be 130 cm deep in the water instead of 150 cm, so that the propellers get enough water. This means that no more water is needed in the rear ballast tanks at low tide. The result: at low water, 200-300 tons more can be transported than before the conversion.

2018: additional costs due to low water periods

"We use inland waterway vessels for around 75 percent of our container transports," says Cok Vinke, Managing Director of Contargo Waterway Logistics. "Low water periods like last year lead to considerable losses in transport volumes and additional costs due to the purchase of additional shipping space or other transport capacities."

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