The Mosel river in western Germany is expected to resume cargo shipping later this week, following repairs to a damaged lock that have progressed rapidly. This river serves as a crucial transit route for grains and rapeseed between Germany and France. In December, the river was closed to inland waterways shipping after an accident caused damage to a lock at Mueden, south of Koblenz. New lock gates have since been installed and are currently undergoing preparations for the first test vessel transits, scheduled for Thursday to Friday.
If these test transits are successful, the river could reopen to commercial shipping as early as Friday or Saturday, according to a spokesperson from the inland navigation agency WSA. The closure of the Mosel had implications for European rapeseed futures, with prices rising in December after trading platform Euronext announced the suspension of physical delivery to river ports in eastern France for the February contract due to the blockage of the river.
Overall, the progress made in repairing the damaged lock on the Mosel river is promising for the resumption of cargo shipping between Germany and France. The installation of new lock gates and the upcoming test vessel transits indicate that a reopening of the river to commercial shipping is imminent. This development is significant for the transportation of grains and rapeseed along this important transit route.