Emergency lockage operations are set to begin on the Moselle following a recent ship accident, with preparations including successful test runs. The process will assist about 70 stranded vessels, taking significantly longer than usual per ship. Investigations into the incident are ongoing, while a temporary suspension of truck driving bans aims to facilitate goods transport. River cruises are adapting routes, and discussions for rapid repairs to the damaged lock are underway, with a closure expected until March.
Emergency Lockage Operations Begin on the Moselle
Following the recent ship accident on the Moselle, emergency lockage procedures are set to commence on Monday. On Saturday, two successful test runs were conducted without vessels to prepare for the reopening.
The first ship stuck in the Müden lock is scheduled to pass through using an emergency lockage method. Technicians carried out multiple rehearsals for this operation without a ship on Saturday, ensuring readiness. The Waterways and Shipping Office (WSA) Mosel-Saar-Lahn reported that a crane is stacking nine steel segments to temporarily seal the lock. Divers are assisting in accurately positioning the beams underwater, which enabled the lock to be drained on Thursday for damage assessment.
Locking Process Details and Impact
With a narrow 15 cm gap in the construction allowing water to flow, this innovative approach will help lower the water level for the stranded vessels. Over the upcoming days, the plan is to assist all 70 stuck ships, though the emergency lockage process will take approximately four to five hours per ship, significantly longer than the normal 20 to 30 minutes. This means that only five to six vessels can be processed each day, despite around-the-clock operations.
The WSA is developing a priority list for the emergency lockage, starting with the smaller freighters to ensure an orderly process.
After draining the lock chamber, experts evaluated its structural integrity. Fortunately, initial concerns about extensive damage were alleviated, although some deterioration was identified in the upper masonry, according to WSA representative Albert Schöpflin.
On Friday, Rhineland-Palatinate’s Minister-President Alexander Schweitzer and Transport Minister Daniela Schmitt visited the damaged lock to assess the situation firsthand.
In a bid to expedite the transfer of goods, Schmitt announced a temporary suspension of the Sunday driving ban for trucks. This decision aims to ease the movement of goods that would typically be transported via the Moselle.
A specialized heavy-duty crane was deployed from Ludwigshafen to Müden to remove the lock gates, each weighing around 40 tons. WSA officials noted that while the removal posed challenges, the operation was executed more smoothly than anticipated, bringing relief to the team involved.
There is also a replacement gate available at a construction yard in Trier, which could serve as a temporary solution. However, the installation of hydraulic lines is required first, with an estimated timeline of about two months before it becomes operational.
In parallel, the Koblenz public prosecutor’s office has launched an investigation into the 27-year-old captain of the cargo ship involved in the incident, suspecting endangerment of shipping traffic. Chief Public Prosecutor Mario Mannweiler stated that such investigations are standard procedure when there are signs of gross negligence. The captain has claimed a malfunction in the cargo ship caused the accident.
What lies ahead for the Moselle, and what does the closure entail? We’ve compiled answers to key questions in our FAQ section.
Continuation of River Travel Amidst Challenges
Currently, approximately 70 vessels remain stranded on the Moselle and Saar and are unable to proceed to the Rhine. Despite the lock closure, many river cruise operators continue their services, albeit with adjusted routes. For instance, cruises are now departing from Cochem instead of Cologne or Koblenz, with bus transportation provided for guests traveling from Cologne to the Cochem landing stage.
The river cruise season typically concludes at the end of December, not resuming until March, which may mitigate financial losses for operators. However, many vessels usually undergo refurbishments during the winter months, which could pose difficulties this year.
As discussions about the rapid repair of the damaged lock continue behind closed doors, the Moselle is expected to remain closed to shipping traffic until the end of March. The incident, which involved a freighter colliding with the Müden lock, has prompted calls from the chambers of commerce in Saarland, Trier, and Koblenz for expedited repairs and upgrades to all locks.