Lock in St. Aldegund in emergency operation after ship accident: First successes!

Lock in St. Aldegund in emergency operation after ship accident: First successes!

On July 6, 2025, after a serious incident at the Moselle lock in St. Aldegund in the Cochem-Zell district, the lock was temporarily put back into operation. The accident, which took place on Wednesday last week, involved a cruise ship that collided with a lock gate. Fortunately, there were only minor injuries to three people, which means the situation can still be considered moderate. Nevertheless, the incident was serious enough to disrupt shipping traffic for several days. According to Rheinpfalz, the lock was put back into operation on Saturday morning.

The first test run was quite positive and only lasted 45 minutes. By Sunday afternoon, 25 of the 100 ships originally expected had already passed through the lock, which gives hope that the situation will return to normal quickly. The first locks are currently limited to ships traveling downstream, while according to an expert meeting, ships heading upriver should also be locked from Tuesday. “We have already recorded successful ship movements,” explained a spokesman for the Mosel-Saar-Lahn Waterways and Shipping Authority.

Special precautions and temporary restrictions

However, to ensure safety, lock operations are closely monitored as the damaged lock gate was only temporarily repaired. The current rule for cabin ships is that they are only allowed to pass without passengers; Alternatively, these can be transported past the lock by bus. Day trips on excursion ships have also been suspended until further notice, which is causing certain inconveniences for international passengers.

The incident not only affected shipping on the Moselle; The traffic is sometimes backed up all the way to France. It remains unclear how long it might take for all waiting ships to receive passage. The operators of the Moselle port in Mertert explain that the lifting of the Sunday driving ban for trucks is intended to ensure that the supply chains are not endangered. They see the impact of the incident as manageable, although the situation remains tense.

The past as a reminder

Ship accidents are not uncommon and are often caused by technical problems or carelessness. According to Wikipedia, such incidents are often documented in lists that tell of serious accidents and damage. The incident at the Moselle lock is reminiscent of similar events in the past, such as an incident in December 2024 when a freighter drove into the lock without braking. The importance of safety precautions and regular inspections is undisputed in shipping.

The coming days will show whether the trial operation of the lock remains stable and whether shipping can return to normal operations as quickly as possible. The situation currently remains tense, but those responsible are optimistic that the new repairs can be carried out soon. A new lock gate is expected in September, which should provide additional security in the long term.