The Mosel River in west Germany has partially reopened to cargo shipping after a temporary lock was installed over the weekend. However, the number of vessels able to sail will be limited, according to navigation authorities. The river serves as a crucial transit route for grains and rapeseed between Germany and France. Last week, the river was closed to inland waterways shipping following an accident that damaged a lock at Mueden south of Koblenz. Repairs are expected to last until spring 2025.
A temporary lock was successfully installed and tested over the weekend, allowing the first trapped ship to transit the system on Monday without any issues. The vessel, measuring 80 meters long, was carrying malting barley as it sailed towards the Rhine. Despite the reopening, only about five or six ships a day will be able to pass through initially. Currently, 74 ships are blocked due to the damage, with many of them involved in grain and rapeseed shipments to and from the French port of Metz.
Last week, European rapeseed futures experienced a rise after trading platform Euronext announced the suspension of physical delivery to river ports in eastern France for the February contract. This decision was made in response to the blockage of the Mosel River, which has disrupted the transportation of goods along the waterway. The situation is closely monitored by authorities as they work to address the damage and restore normal shipping operations in the area.
