Posted on 23 Oct 2018
Drought and dropping water levels on Germany’s waterways have led thyssenkrupp Steel to put a brake on production.
Rhine River push boat traffic that supplies the Duisburg mills with raw materials iron ore, coke and scrap has been discontinued, the company tells Kallanish.
“The supply of raw materials cannot be maintained to the required extent by the remaining means of transport (motor ships, rail),” the firm says. “Production will be reduced accordingly. As a result of this exceptional situation, thyssenkrupp Steel has declared ‘force majeure’ to its customers.”
The extent of production cutbacks was not given, as the consequences are currently being assessed. Tk Steel says it will use the interruption to bring forward planned maintenance.
Last week on Tuesday, the lowest water level ever was measured at Duisburg, and it has not rained since. On the weekend, the level in Cologne, 40km upstream, was measured at 77cm. This caused some misunderstanding, as the level measurement was not identical to the water depth, which was 2m. This still, however, leaves the river inadequate for heavy transport. Consequently, a larger number of lighter-charged vessels have operated recently.
Salzgitter is not affected by that problem so far, a spokesman tells Kallanish. Its mills are supplied from Hamburg by canals (Elbeseitenkanal and Mittelllandkanal) and by train. Outgoing transports use train and truck.
