SIMIC

PARTS of the upper Rhine in south Germany remain closed to shipping after a rise in water levels following heavy rain, German authorities said.

The river is an important shipping route for commodities including minerals, coal, grains, animal feed and oil products such as heating oil.



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



High water means vessels do not have enough space to sail under bridges and the blockage prevents vessels sailing to Switzerland.



Continued rain means an expected fall in water levels did not take place and a precise forecast for reopening is not possible, said authorities.