Low water in Aken: port operation stands still - consequences for the region!

Low water in Aken: port operation stands still - consequences for the region!

The low water level of the Elbe is currently causing considerable difficulties in the port of Aken in the Anhalt-Bitterfeld district. The port has been affected by a standstill for six weeks because the water levels no longer guarantee the necessary depth for heavy freight ships. According to Inland navigation online cannot be put on or off, and the first customers have already canceled orders. The water level is currently 55 cm, whereby a new low water record of 45 cm was measured in July, which also tightens the situation.

The recent rain showers last weekend caused a little relief, but the level continues to be around half a meter less than the required depth of 110 cm for small load ships, which means that the last inland ship left the port on June 25th. Hafen director Peter Ziegler reports that the transport costs have now risen twice to three times. Heavy goods that are urgently needed must now be transported via the street to the Mittelland Canal.

economic effects

The effects of the low water are not only noticeable for the port itself. The port of Aken employs a total of ten people, while another 80 jobs indirectly depend on its operation. The local economy faces major challenges. According to Deutschlandfunk has lost inland navigation in Germany to market share over the past 20 years, from 13% to 8%. The reasons for this are slow ships, less flexibility and increasing demand for fast deliveries.

The need to put additional investments in the infrastructure is also particularly alarming. Despite previous investments of 430 million euros between 2013 and 2022, the renovation of the port did not bring any sustainable improvement for shipping. The Saxon state chairman of the federal government, Felix Ekardt, described the situation as critical and pointed out that the Elbe is no longer sustainable as a waterway. This is particularly reinforced by global warming and the associated frequent low water periods.

nature conservation and future perspectives

The different interests must, however, be weighed. While conservationists request preservation of the Elbe as a natural river and criticize the planned expansion, the federal government also plans a further expansion to guarantee a depth of the fairway of 1.40 m on at least 345 days a year. The Federal Environment Agency emphasizes that ship transports are more climate-friendly than truck transportation, which also heats up the discussion about maintaining the Elbe as an important waterway.

In this tense location, it is more necessary to find solutions than ever. The shipping companies have to learn to adapt to the new circumstances and increasingly shift their transports to sewer connections. The Federal Government is currently working on an agreement with the Czech Republic to secure the Elbe as an international waterway.