A cargo ship carrying 1,500 tons of scrap metal severely damaged the Muden lock near Cochem on the Moselle River, halting shipping traffic until at least March 2025, according to the German Mosel-Saar-Lahn Navigation Office. The accident tore the lock gates from their moorings, leaving 70 vessels stranded, including cargo and passenger ships.
The Moselle, a vital transport route for 8.1 mln tons of goods so far this year, is also used by steelmaker ArcelorMittal for limited operations. The company stated the disruption would have minimal impact on its Luxembourg operations but is actively exploring alternatives for scrap deliveries and steel shipments.
