Global river depletion poses significant danger due to declining water levels

The Amazon in the Brazilian rainforest is facing its lowest water levels in over a century due to a severe drought. This is causing difficulties for maritime operations at the Brazilian port of Manaus, making it impossible for ships to navigate the depleted Amazon river. Maersk, a Danish shipping company, stated that its feeder service provider, Aliança, has declared force majeure, meaning that cargoes on ships bound for Manaus will have to be discharged at alternative ports. Similarly, French shipping company CMA CGM has announced a revised low water surcharge for cargo to or from Manaus.

According to Maersk, floods and droughts have always been a natural part of the environmental cycle, but there have been signs of prolonged low water periods in recent years. Other regions have also been affected by similar situations. For example, the Panama Canal faces an annual drought season, but changing rainfall patterns due to climate change have resulted in extended periods of extremely low water levels. The Rhine river in 2022 and the Mississippi River in the summer of 2022 also experienced low water levels, affecting transportation and cargo movement.

Experts warn that climate change could have significant costs for global shipping and emphasize the need for nations to take urgent action to address the issue.

Source .