Due to the extremely low water level in the Rhine in Germany, logistics costs for transporting oil and fuel are rising, already contributing to higher petrol and diesel prices, primarily in the western regions of the country. Handelsblatt reports, UNN writes.
The current low water level in the Rhine is contributing to rising prices
At the same time, this is just one of several factors affecting current fuel prices.
The reason is that the Rhine is also used as a transport route for oil, petrol and diesel fuel. Large tankers generally make it possible to transport them much more cheaply than relatively small trucks. According to the expert, due to the current low water level, "logistics costs for transporting fuel and certain refined products are rising significantly in some areas; however, according to industry data, supplies remain guaranteed for now."
In addition, the German market is supplied not only via the Rhine, but also through a "network of seaports, oil refineries, pipelines, as well as rail and road transport," Laberer notes. "Therefore, the low water level is currently likely to be contributing primarily to regional increases in fuel prices."
Petrol is most expensive in North Rhine-Westphalia and Hesse
This corresponds to the regional distribution of fuel prices, which can be viewed on the "Tankerkönig" portal. As of Tuesday morning, petrol was most expensive in North Rhine-Westphalia and Hesse, followed by Bremen, Rhineland-Palatinate and Saarland.
In terms of diesel prices, North Rhine-Westphalia and Hesse rank second. It is also apparent at the district level that—particularly for petrol—expensive regions are concentrated in western Germany, while fuel is cheapest in Bavaria, especially in its southern part. The difference amounts to several cents: for petrol, about 7 cents between Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia or Hesse, and for diesel, about 8 cents.