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Ship accident on the Moselle: Three injured after lock collision!
On July 3, 2025, a passenger ship rams the lock gate in Sankt Aldegund, three injured, lock operations stopped.
Ship accident on the Moselle: Three injured after lock collision!
Today, July 3, 2025, a serious incident occurred on the Moselle when a passenger ship collided with a lock gate at the St. Aldegund lock. The situation is increasingly becoming a challenge for shipping traffic in the region. The lock gate was severely damaged, meaning that all lock operations had to be suspended for the time being. There is currently no clarity about the exact consequences for shipping traffic on the Moselle.
The accident occurred in the afternoon when the passenger ship, which was carrying passengers, tried to enter the lock. However, due to the collision, the ship was able to reverse under its own power and is now in front of the lock. Fortunately, there were no life-threatening injuries; however, a total of three people were injured. Another person required medical attention due to high temperatures. As Tagesschau reports, an expert has already promised to arrive on Thursday to assess the extent of the damage. The investigation into the accident is ongoing.
Damage and difficulties
The damage to the lock gate is still unclear and is currently being examined by experts from the Water and Shipping Administration. The extent of the destruction suggests that the lock could remain out of operation for a long time. Experts assume that the Moselle will remain closed to shipping traffic until the end of March 2026 - a development that could have serious economic consequences for the region. [RND].
Similar incidents have occurred in the past, such as an accident in December 2024 at the Moselle lock near Müden, in which a freighter drove into the lock without braking. This incident also led to serious damage and resulting traffic chaos on the Moselle. The managing director of the Port of Trier has described the current situation as a “worst case scenario”, while the IHK Trier is calling for an urgently needed expansion of the Moselle locks to avoid such incidents in the future.
A look ahead to the coming months
The economic damage caused by the closure of shipping traffic cannot be underestimated. Ships that want to sail towards the Rhine or even to the French border are stuck and piled up. Schifffahrtsverein reports about 70 stuck ships. While the state authorities are trying to resolve the situation as quickly as possible, many companies are having to switch to alternative transport routes. This switch to trucks or rail brings with it additional costs and logistical challenges.
In summary, it remains to be seen how the situation on the Moselle will develop further. While the experts assess the damage, everyone involved is hoping for a quick solution so that shipping can soon return to normal.