Commercial Shipping Resumes on Elbe River After Dresden Bridge Collapse
The first cargo vessel in nearly five months has passed under the damaged Carolabrücke in Dresden, marking a cautious reopening of the waterway with restrictions in place.
- The Elbe River in Saxony is now partially reopened for commercial shipping, following a five-month suspension caused by the collapse of a section of the Carolabrücke in Dresden.
- On Monday, a 135-meter cargo vessel carrying a 221-ton generator and 300-500 tons of fertilizer successfully navigated the damaged bridge on its journey from the Czech Republic to Antwerp.
- The reopening comes with restrictions: until February 17, passage requires prior registration, and afterward, traffic will be limited to specific time slots in a one-way system.
- The shipping halt caused significant financial losses, with the Sächsische Binnenhäfen Oberelbe GmbH reporting a six-figure revenue drop and the Czech shipping company EVD estimating damages of up to €500,000.
- The damaged section of the Carolabrücke is undergoing demolition, and the waterway's reopening is being closely monitored to ensure safety and assess the bridge's stability under traffic.
Stern 
Sächsische Zeitung 