Low water levels on the Rhine: Port of Hamburg offers reliable rail alternative for inland connections

Persistent low water levels on the Rhine regularly lead to restrictions in inland waterway transport. Export shipments via the ports of Antwerp and Rotterdam, in particular, are affected by reduced capacity, longer transit times, and rising costs.

With regular combined transport connections between Cologne and Duisburg to Hamburg, the Port of Hamburg offers a reliable and efficient alternative to ensure hinterland logistics even during periods of low water. The connections are operated by HGK Logistics and Intermodal GmbH and IGS Intermodal Container Logistics GmbH. Running independently of river conditions, these rail connections represent an economically efficient, environmentally sound, and above all system-secure alternative to barge transport via the Rhine.

Especially in times of low water levels, early transport planning is recommended. HGK and IGS support companies in shifting their container traffic onto rail and work with them to develop solutions tailored to their needs.

The rail connections offer advantages not only for exports: import containers from Hamburg can also be transported reliably and efficiently to Cologne and Duisburg. Thanks to the direct link to Hamburg's seaport terminals, cargo owners benefit from predictable transit times, high flexibility, and a seamless transport chain in both directions.

This keeps containers moving safely and reliably toward their destination, regardless of water levels on the Rhine.