Business-Ticker: This is how Elon Musk plans the world's largest building

The shipping industry anticipates the imminent division of the Rhine River into two separate waterways due to critically low water levels. This situation has raised concerns among transport operators and logistics companies, with some predicting that parts of the river will become impassable for large vessels. The issue has intensified as drought conditions persist, affecting both domestic and international trade routes. The problem has been exacerbated by prolonged dry spells and reduced inflows from surrounding regions. As a result, the Rhine’s water levels have dropped to dangerous lows, forcing shipping companies to adjust their operations. For example, the container shipping company Hapag-Lloyd has had to reroute its cargo transportation, relying more heavily on rail and truck networks to move goods inland. According to Ralf Stüwe, director of operations for Hapag-Lloyd in Germany and Central Europe, the low water levels have already disrupted supply chains. He noted that while transport from Rotterdam and Antwerp to Duisburg remains feasible, shipments destined for mid- and upper-Rhine locations must increasingly depend on alternative modes of transport. The impact extends beyond local logistics. International shipping routes have also faced challenges, particularly near the Strait of Hormuz in the Persian Gulf, which has become a bottleneck due to ongoing tensions involving Iran. These disruptions have contributed to rising costs, which were highlighted during Hapag-Lloyd’s presentation of its first-half business results. Despite these challenges, the company reported positive financial performance, driven by increased freight rates. The cost of transporting goods via the Rhine has also surged, with freight rates doubling for barge traffic. Due to the limited capacity of ships, they can now carry only 10 to 20 percent of their usual cargo load, leading to production cuts at chemical plants and steelworks reliant on raw materials transported along the river. Meanwhile, former tennis star Roger Federer has lost his billionaire status, according to estimates from Forbes. His wealth has declined significantly due to the sharp drop in stock prices of On Holding, the Swiss sportswear company he partially owns. After the firm reported quarterly earnings below expectations, its share price fell by nearly 19 percent, dropping below $30. This decline has reduced Federer’s net worth to approximately $952.4 million, marking a loss of at least $52 million. Federer holds a 2.5 percent stake in On Holding, which recorded a net revenue of 850.4 million Swiss francs ($907.7 million) in the second quarter of this year, a 13 percent increase compared to the previous year. However, analysts had anticipated around 30 million additional francs in sales. The company also saw a substantial improvement in its net profit, reporting 105 million francs ($112 million) in profits, up from a loss of 41 million francs ($44 million) in the same period last year. Its gross margin reached 65.4 percent. On the other hand, the building materials company Wienerberger is experiencing difficulties due to a weak construction sector. The company, which is the world's largest brick manufacturer, reported no profit for the first half of the year, down from 106 million euros in the same period last year. The board chairman, Heimo Scheuch, stepped down from his position due to health reasons. The company has lowered its full-year profit outlook, expecting an operating profit before interest, taxes, and depreciation of 700 million euros, down from the previously projected 1 billion euros. From January to June, this figure dropped by 15 percent to 326 million euros. With over 21,000 employees, the company faces continued pressure from slower-than-expected housing construction activity.