Due to the continuing low water levels, German steel manufacturer Thyssenkrupp Steel has suspended the transportation of raw materials using its own fleet of ships.
According to a spokesperson for Thyssenkrupp Steel, the ongoing and worsening low water situation is now affecting the supply of raw materials to the company’s Duisburg plant. Consequently, the internal towboat traffic has been halted because of the consistently low river levels.
To maintain operations, the company is currently employing externally rented ships that possess a shallower draft, allowing them to operate safely even within the current water conditions.
The company spokesperson affirmed that customer supply is not currently endangered. However, the ongoing development and its impact on both supply and production are being continuously monitored and evaluated by a dedicated task force.
Thyssenkrupp Steel requires a substantial amount of materials daily-approximately 50,000 tonnes-primarily iron ore and coal.
