Ludwigshafen’s BASF factory relies on the river, with BASF having a six-week early-warning system.

Thyssenkrupp AG needs 60,000 tons of raw materials per day at its Duisburg complex near the Rhine-Ruhr confluence.

Water levels trigger a corporation task force, and companies must invest to protect operations.

Supply hording and logistics redundancy are the major tactics.

Freight businesses are ordering Stolt Ludwigshafen-designed boats, and only four of Cologne-based HGK’s 350 Rhine and European river barges are low-water vessels.

Political support isn’t imminent, as Scholz’s three parties are fighting over Rhine shipping plans.

By 2030, Germany plans to invest €270 billion in transport infrastructure, with over half going to highways and less than 10% to waterways.