Freight shipping on all of the river Rhine in Germany has returned to its normal levels, as rain has raised water levels to allow full vessel loading. Levels on the River had been below normal since early September, compelling vessels to sail only partly loaded with cargo, increasing the cost of deliveries of river cargo.
ON the Danube, water levels are still too shallow for normal cargo loading levels, but rain in coming days could also return the river to normal. The river Rhine is an important shipping route for commodities including grains, minerals, coal and oil products including heating oil.
The river Danube on the other hand is a major route for east European grain exports, especially maize, to west Europe.