Lock Accident Paralyzes Rhine To France And Luxembourg Shipping

The accident on Sunday, December 8, damaged the locks on the Moselle River, a tributary of the Rhine, which provides passage for large ships to France and Luxembourg, and shipping authorities are working to find a temporary solution. Authorities report that nearly 70 ships are trapped and expect it will take months to repair the damaged locks.

On Sunday, an inland cargo ship loaded with 1,500 tons of scrap metal bound for Mert, Luxembourg, collided with the closed lock gates and failed to dock. The ship suffered severe damage to the bow above the waterline, and both lock hatches were loose. Officials reported that preliminary inspections also showed severe damage near the locking mechanism and damage to the concrete and hydraulic system, which caused fluid to leak into the water.

The Mosel-Saar-Lan Shipping and Waterways Office stressed the importance of the locks. Data shows that in 2024, the volume of cargo passing through the lock was 8.1 million tons, including metal, scrap metal, fuel, agricultural and forestry products, steel, etc. It provides transportation to the Saarland. Passenger ships also use the river. The waterway administration said that there is only one lock in Modi’in.

Waterway officials said about 7,000 large ships passed through Modi’in in 2024, in addition to many small ships. This is the first time they have experienced this damage, and they admit that it has caused economic difficulties for river businesses and consumers.

They immediately formed a crisis team to explore possible alternatives to reroute the ships. The first estimate is that repairing this lock will take until March 2025.

The team is also preparing for further inspections of the lock. The ship is still in the lock, and an isolation barrier has been set up to prevent the spread of pollution. The team is working to drain the water from the lock to assess the full extent of the damage.

The gate, surrounding equipment, and concrete were damaged when the ship hit the closed lock gate (WSA).

They are exploring the possibility of storing spare slots elsewhere to see if they can be used, but other damaged parts must be manufactured. Each door wing weighs 40 tonnes, which means a large crane will also have to be used to lift the damaged door. They estimate replacing them will take two months, even if existing spare parts can be used.

The Port of Merter handles a variety of truck, rail, and waterborne cargo. They are exploring the possibility of repackaging more cargo via road and rail, but reports say ArcelorMittal’s scrap cannot simply be reloaded onto trucks.

The crisis team continues coordinating with other affected authorities and businesses while planning recovery.