Mosel Shipping Halted Indefinitely After Damaging Schleuse Accident

A collision at the Müden lock has disrupted freight and passenger traffic on the Mosel, stranding vessels and raising economic concerns.

A freight ship collided with the Müden lock on the Mosel River, severely damaging the lock and halting all river traffic since Sunday.
Roughly 70 ships, including freight and passenger vessels, are stranded, with some cruise passengers being rerouted by bus to their destinations.
The damaged lock is critical for transporting goods like steel and ore; industries in Saarland and Rheinland-Pfalz face logistical and economic challenges due to limited rail and truck alternatives.
Repairs to the lock, including the installation of an emergency replacement gate, are expected to take until at least March 2025, with efforts underway to move stranded ships before full repairs begin.
Business groups and local chambers of commerce are urging the federal government to accelerate repairs and expand Mosel locks with additional chambers to prevent future disruptions.