SHOTLIST: COLOGNE, GERMANY (JUNE 30, 2025) (ANADOLU - ACCESS ALL) 1. VARIOUS OF RHINE RIVER AFFECTED BY HEATWAVE AND LOW WATER LEVELS / SHALLOW AREAS REVEALED BY RECEDING WATER / BOATS MOVING IN RIVERCOLOGNE, GERMANY - JUNE 30: Ongoing drought following a recent heatwave in Western Europe is disrupting shipping operations on Germany’s Rhine River, a vital route for the country's economy. According to German media, low water levels are limiting cargo ship capacity in many areas of the Rhine. Shipping companies are imposing additional charges on top of standard freight fees to compensate for reduced loading capacity. In addition to rising freight costs, wholesalers are now required to split cargo across multiple vessels, further increasing transportation expenses. This has led some wholesalers to reduce purchases to avoid extra costs, causing supply issues. All parts of the Rhine south of Duisburg and Cologne are affected by the low water levels, with vessels currently operating at only half capacity. A similar situation occurred during the summer of 2022, when low water levels led to supply bottlenecks and production issues for many companies. Meanwhile, the heatwave continues to affect various European countries. Following the rise in temperatures over the weekend, forecasts predict that temperatures in many parts of Europe could exceed 35 degrees Celsius today. Temperatures are expected to reach 34 in Germany, 32 in France, 35–36 in several Italian cities, 34 in Portugal, 35 in Athens, and close to 40 in Spain. In Cologne, temperatures have occasionally reached as high as 40 degrees Celsius.