Barges of coal at the inland harbor in Duisburg, on the river Rhine in Germany, on Thursday, July 20 2023. The river Rhine, an important trade route that runs through Germany via European cities to the port of Rotterdam, has become shallower at critical points. As water levels go down, a vessel's capacity reduces and shipping costs rise, with prices increasing as rivers become shallower. Water levels at Kaub are closely followed, and if they fall too low, vessels have to sail with reduced loads. Ben Kilb | Bloomberg | Getty ImagesFalling water levels can "significantly impair" manufacturing output, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy (IFW).

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Persons: Ben Kilb, Lloyd, Tim Beckhoff, we've, Marc Schattenberg, Schattenberg, Beckhoff, Goarshausen Organizations: Bloomberg, Getty, Maersk, Hapag, McKinsey, CNBC, Deutsche Bank ., Deutsche Bank, Kiel Institute Locations: Duisburg, Germany, Europe, Rotterdam, Kaub, Frankfurt, Karlsruhe, St