One-way traffic on Upper IJssel draws closer
Rijkswaterstaat prepares for one-way traffic while the river remains too shallow.
Low water levels on the Upper IJssel are forcing Rijkswaterstaat to introduce new measures for inland shipping. As soon as the least surveyed depth falls below 1.45 metres, vessels will be allowed to sail in only one direction.
Rijkswaterstaat is taking one-way traffic into account on the stretch between the mouth of the Twentekanaal near Zutphen and the IJsselkop near Arnhem. The measure is intended to prevent vessels from obstructing one another or running aground in the narrow navigation channel. Rijkswaterstaat’s latest water report says that water levels on the Rhine and the IJssel are lower than usual for this time of year.
The threshold is linked to the least surveyed depth: the shortest distance between the riverbed and the water surface. If it falls below 1.45 metres, upstream traffic towards Arnhem will be permitted and downstream traffic towards Zutphen prohibited. Rijkswaterstaat measures the depth daily and publishes shipping information through the usual navigation-channel services.
For vessels sailing north from Germany, the measure means a detour of around 300 kilometres. They would then have to travel via the Waal, the Amsterdam-Rijnkanaal, Amsterdam, the Markermeer and the IJsselmeer to the Ketelmeer before reaching the IJssel again. The Oranjesluizen and Houtribsluizen in particular could consequently see additional traffic.
The inland shipping sector calls the restriction inconvenient but understands the safety rationale. Koninklijke Binnenvaart Nederland previously warned that a vessel running aground in a bend could block the navigation channel for an extended period. According to the sector, the detour is feasible, but it will result in longer travel times, higher fuel consumption and congestion at locks.
The situation is not the same as a complete closure: the aim is precisely to preserve companies’ accessibility for as long as possible. Rain in the Rhine basin could improve water levels, but Rijkswaterstaat warns that the rivers may also remain lower than usual over the next 48 hours. The introduction of the measure therefore remains dependent on the measurements.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- Rijkswaterstaat links the measure to a minimum navigable depth of 1.45 metres.
- The restriction could increase travel times and costs for inland shipping.
- The measure is intended to preserve the safety and accessibility of the navigation channel.
Left
Arguments The government should invest in climate-resilient navigation channels and transport alternatives, so that the cost of prolonged drought does not fall mainly on workers, skippers and local residents.
Values Public infrastructure, solidarity and adaptation to climate risks.
Consequences Greater investment costs money now, but could limit economic damage and additional road transport later.
Centre
Arguments Safety must be the guiding principle, but the measure should be applied proportionately, temporarily and transparently on the basis of measurement data.
Values Expert administration, predictability and a balance between safety and the economy.
Consequences Inland shipping will face disruption, but a controlled restriction prevents greater disruption caused by incidents or a complete closure.
Right
Arguments The navigation channel should remain open wherever this can be done safely, and businesses should not constantly be confronted with new rules or detours because of inadequate water management.
Values Economic freedom, accessibility and responsibility for efficient government management.
Consequences A temporary restriction can be accepted, but structural solutions must be targeted and should not result in permanent burdens for businesses.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
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The article’s core is based on current information from Rijkswaterstaat and a response from the inland shipping sector. Only the precise moment of introduction remains dependent on the measured navigable depth.
- confirmed Rijkswaterstaat is taking one-way traffic on the Upper IJssel into account if the least surveyed depth falls below 1.45 metres. — This is stated in Rijkswaterstaat’s news report. source
- confirmed Water levels on the Rhine and IJssel are lower than usual on 24 September. — Rijkswaterstaat’s latest water report refers to low water levels. source
- confirmed The alternative route is approximately 300 kilometres long. — Rijkswaterstaat describes this detour and gives 300 kilometres as its length. source
- confirmed Koninklijke Binnenvaart Nederland calls the measure inconvenient but necessary for safety. — This characterisation is included in reporting on KBN’s position. source
Editor's note
The low water levels, the safety threshold and the detour have been confirmed by Rijkswaterstaat. The text keeps the introduction conditional because the available primary source refers to possible one-way traffic once the measurement falls below the threshold.Sources
- Boven-IJssel: mogelijk eenrichtingsverkeer door lage waterstand — Rijkswaterstaat
- Waterbericht — Rijkswaterstaat
- Historisch lage waterstanden: hinder voor binnenvaart neemt verder toe — Koninklijke Binnenvaart Nederland
More on this in Dutch media
- NRC — „ijssel laagwater”
- NU.nl — „ijssel laagwater”
- De Telegraaf — „ijssel laagwater”