Barge traffic stopped on Rhine in Germany after river levels swell

Quantum Commodity Intelligence - Barge traffic on the upper Rhine beyond Speyer in Germany has stopped and the stoppage could be extended as far down the river to Dusseldorf on Friday because of high water levels, brokers warned Thursday.

There could also be disruption to traffic in the Netherlands with a chance the Limmel lock on the river Mass could be closed Thursday.

"It is uncertain how long the barge traffic will stand still, for tomorrow further heavy rainfall is forecast over the Rhine basin," said the brokers Riverlake.

Depth levels in Cologne in Germany will rise from 6.24 metres Thursday to around 8.3 metres on Sunday, Riverlake noted, amalgamating the forecast of three agencies.