The incident has disrupted a key inland waterway used for transporting grains and rapeseed between Germany and France.
Lock Damage Brings Traffic to a Standstill
The accident, which occurred on Wednesday, caused damage to the Sankt Aldegund lock located between Koblenz and Trier. As a result, vessels are currently unable to pass through the lock in either direction, according to a police spokesperson. Technical teams began inspecting the site on Thursday to assess the extent of the damage.
Government Response and Ongoing Assessment
German Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder announced plans to visit the site, stating:
“I will do everything in my power to ensure that the lock can resume operations as soon as possible,”
Eric Oehlmann, head of the river navigation authority WSA, noted that initial findings suggest the lock’s concrete structure and drive mechanism might not be severely damaged. Experts are now evaluating whether limited lock operations can resume to help clear waiting vessels.
Alternative Measures Under Consideration
If the lock remains inoperable, the WSA is exploring the possibility of using emergency locks with temporary water control barriers—solutions that were successfully deployed during a similar disruption last winter when a lock at Mueden was damaged and closed for two months.
“Despite the accident, there is determination that shipping on the Moselle will not come to a complete standstill,” Oehlmann affirmed.
The shipping industry now awaits further updates on the repair timeline. Authorities remain optimistic about restoring partial operations or implementing alternative measures to prevent prolonged disruptions on the vital Mosel trade corridor.
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Source: ARAB NEWS
