Will the drought in Europe affect your river cruise vacation?
The loading platform is broken The worst news I have read about Europe, especially about the amount of water flowing down the Rhine, is mostly from the maritime part of Europe. "The Rhine is an important highway and transport route in France, connecting Germany and Switzerland," says Schleiner. Merchant ships cannot carry general cargo at high tide. The weight of cargo carried by that ship affects the draft (distance between land and water). Heavy ships are in the water, so they need a long distance from the water's edge to the river bed to be able to navigate the river safely without damaging it. If a ship has to reduce its tonnage to pass through shallow water, it can carry less cargo. Businesses need more ships to carry the same amount of goods, and shipping rates are rising, all of which have a negative impact on the European economy. According to Schreiner, the last water level in Europe in 2018 had an economic impact of €5.4m (£4.49m). I understand why people care.