Rhine barge rates are edging higher in recent weeks as the water levels are expected to fall back toward the lows of the year.

• Water levels at a key chokepoint on the Rhine at Kaub are expected to drop this week to the lowest since July according to Bloomberg. The barge clearance level at Kaub is forecast to fall to 93cm on 7 Oct.
• A fall below 100cm would have implications for the size of barges that could navigate the Rhine restricting a standard 100m barge carrying diesel to around 45% of capacity.

Source: Bloomberg