Tatiana Geiselmann (in Metz), edited by Solène Leroux 1:52 p.m., August 16, 2022

In Metz, the river port is idling.

Yet it is the first in Europe for cereals.

In question, the lack of water in the rivers, and in particular in the Rhine, the Moselle having fallen only 20 centimeters.

Some crops are therefore blocked at the dock, and the silos are overflowing.

The precipitation currently affecting France will not solve the problem of the historic drought which is beating the country this summer.

With an example: the Rhine, one of the busiest waterways in the world.

The river passes below a crucial level that even threatens navigation.

In Metz, the river port is therefore idling.

Yet it is the first in Europe for cereals.

Some crops are blocked at the dock, and the silos are overflowing.

From the terrace of his office as director of the port of Metz, Jean-Marc Thomas observes the two 110-meter-long ships loading their holds with cereals.

A short stopover.

"Right now, it takes an hour. But as a general rule, a boat is processed between four and six hours," he explains.

A time divided by four for a loading also divided by four.

"When we are in normal conditions, a boat loads between 2,000 and 2,400 tonnes. Today, this same boat carries perhaps 700 to 800 tonnes", explains Jean-Marc Thomas.

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Boats may hit bottom

In question, the lack of water in the rivers, and in particular in the Rhine, the Moselle having fallen only 20 centimeters, according to Xavier Lugherini, responsible for the waterways of the sector.

"On the Moselle, we manage to maintain the water level thanks to dams coupled to the locks. On the other hand, the Rhine, in free flow, undergoes what is called 'low water'", specifies he.

When a "boat is loaded, it sinks into the water and it risks hitting the bottom," he says.

At maximum capacity

However, all ships use the Rhine to reach Germany and Benelux.

Result: in Metz, the grain silos are full to bursting, confirms Vincent Le Ber, grain manager at Lorca, an agricultural cooperative.

“We have around 150,000 tonnes of storage capacity. 

"Currently, with the harvest of wheat, barley and rapeseed, all capacities are almost occupied."

No more room for corn, therefore, the harvest of which begins in a few days.