(Bloomberg) — Germany’s economy is being threatened by a chronic lack of water in the Rhine, according to Transport Minister Steffen Bilger. “We have a very challenging situation and it’s very challenging for our economy,” Bilger said. The issue of low river levels offers an early test for Germany’s newly appointed transport minister. Following the severe drought of 2018, officials adopted an action plan to improve the resilience of Rhine shipping. He was named transport minister just last month as part of a cabinet reshuffle that drew widespread criticism.