Due to the difficult situation facing ship transport caused by low water levels, Deutsche Bahn (DB) plans to reactivate older freight wagons. This initiative comes as part of a document prepared by DB-Cargo Chief Bernhard Osburg for the Multi-modal Low Water Coordination Round, according to reports from the Rheinische Post.
The document stipulates that DB will review and prepare the reactivation of wagons that have been permanently stored. Furthermore, the company intends to unlock additional carriage capacity within the broader European market. DB Cargo is able to mobilize 900 wagons immediately, with 300 available straight away. According to Osburg, this capacity increase is equivalent to replacing 200 inland vessels.
DB has confirmed that it is actively supporting affected industries in the short term. Special transport services for customers in the chemical and steel sectors are being put into action with full focus. This effort reaffirms the previous announcement by Federal Transport Minister Steffen Bilger (CDU) that freight would be shifted from inland barges to rail and road in response to the low water crisis.
