Rhine river levels rises again, allowing normal sailings in north

HAMBURG (Reuters) -Rhine river levels have risen after rain in Germany this week, allowing vessels to carry more cargo and normal sailings with full loads in northern parts of the river, commodity traders said on Friday.

Extreme lack of rain in March and April meant low water had hindered shipping on all the river south of Duisburg and Cologne, including the choke point of Kaub, traders said.

In northern regions around Duisburg, vessels were able to sail fully loaded on Friday, against less than half full in previous weeks, traders said.

Rain in southern Germany raised the Kaub water levels enough for ships to sail about 70% full.

Shallow water means vessel operators impose surcharges on freight rates to compensate for vessels not sailing fully loaded, increasing costs for cargo owners. Consignments must be shipped by several vessels instead of one, also raising costs.

The Rhine is an important shipping route for commodities such as grains, minerals, ores, coal and oil products, including heating oil.

German companies faced supply bottlenecks and production problems in summer 2022 after a drought and heatwave led to unusually low water levels on the Rhine.

(Reporting by Michael HoganEditing by David Goodman)