New gate for the Moselle lock: work started - closed until November 1st!

New gate for the Moselle lock: work started - closed until November 1st!

The St. Aldegund Moselle lock is currently in focus because work to replace a damaged lock gate has begun. Construction work began on Monday, October 27, 2025, which became necessary after a ship accident in July this year caused emergency operations. An unfortunate coincidence: a passenger ship had severely damaged the closed lower gate, which led to massive restrictions on shipping traffic. In the past few months, the lock has only been in operation under special precautionary measures and constant monitoring.

As the Mosel-Saar-Lahn Waterways and Shipping Authority informs, the lock will be closed to all shipping traffic until November 1st. Normal operations are scheduled to resume from next Saturday. In the meantime, the gates are being removed and installed using a large crane that has already been set up on site. First, the two wings of the old gate will be dismantled before the new gate wings are installed on Tuesday. However, Tobias Schmidt, an official at the authority, warns: Extreme caution must be exercised throughout the entire work.

Why the work is necessary

The ship accident in question significantly affected the Moselle lock. According to rheinpfalz, the incident occurred in early July when a passenger ship accidentally crashed into the gate. After the damage, the gate had to be repaired and reinforced, which resulted in a so-called emergency operation phase. Although this phase has been in force since July, it meant that ship lines could only be managed under difficult conditions.

The Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration (WSV) is responsible for the operation and maintenance of important waterways such as the Moselle lock. Their guiding principle is to enable mobility and protect the environment. When we look at the reasons for these and similar measures, we realize how important such maintenance work is for the continued functionality of the infrastructure.

A look into the future

The new lock gate technology is expected to go into operation next week as part of the ongoing modernization process. “We are confident that with the new gate things will run more smoothly again,” says a WSV representative. Ship-based traffic will soon be able to flow again without restrictions, which is of great importance not only for the boatmen but also for the region. Ultimately, economic dynamism depends heavily on the functionality of waterways.

Stay tuned as we provide further updates on this topic. Whether you are a recreational boater or a professional boatman – the Moselle lock remains a central part of shipping traffic in this region. The first of November offers hope for smooth operations and a return to normality.