28.08.2026 | News

Minister Krischer visits the HGK Group to learn about solutions for periods of low water levels

Duisburg. How can supply chains be kept stable even when water levels on the Rhine remain low? Oliver Krischer, North Rhine-Westphalia’s Minister for the Environment and Transport, addressed this question during a visit to HGK Shipping in Duisburg. The focus was on the ‘Courage’, one of our inland waterway vessels optimised for low water levels.

The effects of the current low water levels on the Rhine are posing major challenges for shipping, industry and logistics. This makes technical and logistical solutions that enable transport even under difficult conditions all the more important. Against this backdrop, the NRW Minister visited HGK Shipping in Duisburg to find out about innovative vessel designs and their importance for resilient supply chains.

On board the “Courage”, a vessel designed for low-water conditions,HGK CEO Steffen Bauer (right) explained the HGK fleet strategy to NRW Minister Oliver Krischer.

For years, HGK Shipping has been pursuing a fleet strategy focused on low-water capability. In newbuilds, aspects such as hull shape, propulsion and deadweight are specifically optimised to enable the transport of the highest possible volumes even when water levels are low. According to the North Rhine-Westphalia Ministry of the Environment, nine of the 13 known new-build projects in Europe currently optimised for low water levels are associated with HGK Shipping.

NRW Minister Krischer also took a close look at the state-of-the-art workstation used by HGK skippers on the Courage.

During the visit, HGK CEO Steffen Bauer emphasised the importance of modern vessel designs for the stability of industrial supply chains. At the same time, he highlighted the need for a reliable regulatory framework to further drive forward the modernisation of the European inland waterway fleet.

The current low-water situation demonstrates that adapting to the consequences of climate change is becoming increasingly important. Innovative vessel designs, efficient infrastructure and the smart integration of different modes of transport are key elements in ensuring the continued supply of goods to industry and the economy in the future.