River Rhine still closed to shipping due to high water

HAMBURG — Parts of the river Rhine in south Germany remained closed to shipping on Monday after a rise in water levels following recent heavy rain, navigation authorities said on Monday.

Rhine river shipping remains stopped around Maxau in south Germany, the German inland waterways navigation agency WSA said.

Water levels are falling but not as fast as hoped. The southern sector of the river was closed on Wednesday.

High water means vessels do not have enough space to sail under bridges and the blockage prevents vessels sailing to Switzerland. Shipping on northern sections of the river is operating normally including the important points of Duisburg, Cologne and Mannheim.