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St. Aldegund lock after ship accident: emergency locks start!
After a ship accident at the St. Aldegund lock on July 5, 2025, operations are running in emergency mode. Descent trips are possible again, while passenger ships remain excluded.
St. Aldegund lock after ship accident: emergency locks start!
Today, July 5, 2025, the lock in St. Aldegund (Cochem-Zell district) is back in emergency operation after a serious incident. The specter of a shipping accident on Wednesday, in which a passenger ship rammed the lock gate, has finally brought initial success in getting things back into operation. A spokesman for the Mosel-Saar-Lahn Waterways and Shipping Authority confirmed the successful start of this temporary solution.
The accident not only caused significant damage to the lock gate, but also left three people injured and brought all shipping traffic to the Moselle to a standstill. As a result, numerous ships piled up in front of the lock, which was now able to successfully complete its first descents after it was temporarily put back into operation. Until operations have stabilized, only downhill trips are initially planned, and after successful test operations, ships upstream could also pass through the lock from next week.
The impact of the incident
The line of vehicles waiting in front of the closed lock for an opening is remarkable. Many ships from the Moselle port of Mertert in Luxembourg have anchored all the way to France, as the uncertainty over the reopening of the lock threw plans into disarray for several days. The first successful locking operation after the accident took around 45 minutes and had to be inspected again and again after each pass. The cruise operators are particularly worried, as several ships with over 100 passengers are affected by the delays.
In this context, the governments of the region have also turned their attention to a quicker solution. Among other things, Minister Daniela Schmitt (FDP) has announced that she will take measures to help shipping traffic on the Moselle get back on track. A driving ban for trucks on Sundays should also be lifted so as not to further endanger regional supply chains.
Insights into shipping
Maritime shipping is particularly important for Germany, not only for foreign trade, but also for the supply of raw materials. Whether crude oil, minerals or, for example, wood – shipping plays a central role in logistics and transport. As the highest supervisory authority, the General Directorate of Waterways and Shipping (GDWS) is tasked with ensuring the smooth flow of shipping traffic and developing safety concepts.
The challenges presented by incidents such as this highlight the need for preventative measures and safety precautions. With experience from past incidents, such as the similar one at the Moselle lock near Müden in December 2024, it is clear that interest in a quick solution is high. It will be interesting to see how the situation will develop in the coming weeks and when all ships will be able to pass through the lock unhindered again.
Further information and insights into the incident as well as current developments can be found in the articles from Localo and daily news read up.