German Transport Minister Steffen Bilger is considering a temporary suspension of the Sunday truck-driving ban and has proposed exemptions for the most affected freight, after record-low Rhine water levels crippled inland shipping across western Germany. Bilger convened a summit in Bonn on Thursday with shipping, port and industry representatives, warning that climate change will make such disruptions more frequent.
Industry groups pressed for immediate infrastructure action. The Federation of German Industries demanded accelerated dredging of the Rhine, while the German Association of Public Ports called for round-the-clock lock operations. Deutsche Bahn is set to establish a special freight corridor to divert cargo from the river, though ongoing rail construction along the Rhine complicates the shift.
Environmental voices were absent from the talks, drawing criticism from BUND chairman Olaf Bandt. Former Environment Minister Steffi Lemke urged a fundamental policy shift on river management.