Infrastructure
One-way traffic for ships on the IJssel due to low water levels
Rijkswaterstaat has implemented one-way traffic for vessels on the IJssel between Zutphen and Westervoort because water levels have dropped below 1.45 meters, making channels too narrow and shallow for two-way passage. Ships are currently restricted to traveling only toward Arnhem and Germany, forcing those coming from the opposite direction to detour 300 kilometers via Tiel and Amsterdam. This measure reflects a difficult summer for Dutch inland shipping, with cargo volumes falling by at least 20 percent in August compared to the previous year. Rijkswaterstaat warns that water levels in the Rhine and Meuse remain exceptionally low, with little rain expected until October. Additionally, water levels near the German town of Kaub may reach record lows, potentially splitting the river and disrupting transport for German companies who face higher costs due to reduced capacity or road alternatives.
Ozetta summarises; the reporting is the newsroom's