Rhine River Drought Sparks Fuel Shortages in Eastern France

Historically low water levels on the Rhine River have severely impacted fuel supplies in eastern France, particularly in the Grand Est region. As of Friday morning, 14% of filling stations in the area were classified as 'in difficulty,' meaning they had run out of at least one type of fuel.

The drought has reduced the water levels on the river to an unprecedented low, preventing oil tankers from reaching the Port of Strasbourg and disrupting a key supply route linking eastern France with seaports and refineries in northern Europe. The Rhine has become virtually unnavigable at Kaub in western Germany, where the navigable channel's water level fell to 130 centimeters (51 inches) on Monday.

The shortages of unleaded gasoline were more widespread than those of diesel, with between 25% and 50% of stations affected in the Haut-Rhin and neighboring Territoire de Belfort departments. Jean-Laurent Kistler, development director at the French Waterways Authority in Strasbourg, noted that oil tankers were carrying only around 350 tons of fuel, compared to more than 1,500 tons under normal conditions.