The CDU Politician Made the Remarks to the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland News Network

German Transport Minister Bilger has called for further expansion of the country's waterways, arguing that confidence in inland shipping can only be maintained if low-water problems do not occur regularly. The CDU politician made the remarks to the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland news network. His comments come as federal and state transport ministers meet today to discuss the situation of inland shipping in light of persistently low water levels on German rivers.

The meeting addresses the challenges posed by recent dry spells that have hampered cargo transport on key waterways such as the Rhine. Bilger's push for infrastructure investment reflects growing concerns among shippers and industry groups about the reliability of river freight as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to road and rail transport. The ministers are expected to weigh short-term measures against long-term structural improvements to ensure navigability even during drought periods. No specific funding figures or project timelines were disclosed in the initial statements.