Recent rainfall in southern Germany was insufficient to alleviate low water levels on the Rhine, with forecasts indicating further declines. The inland navigation agency WSV reported that the navigable depth at the critical Kaub chokepoint is expected to decrease from approximately 35 cm to 20 cm by the end of the week, limiting vessel loads to 15-20% capacity. Consequently, transportation costs have surged, with rates from Rotterdam to Karlsruhe rising significantly. This situation mirrors challenges faced in summer 2022, when drought conditions severely disrupted supply chains.