The Luxembourg government is working to reduce the economic impact of the interruption of navigation on the Moselle. Industry and logistics are particularly concerned.
No less than four deputies – Carole Hartmann (DP), Octavie Modert (CSV), Marc Baum (déi Lénk) and Jeff Engelen (ADR) – questioned the government on Tuesday, in plenary session, about the accident that occurred on Sunday on the Moselle, on the German side. It causes an interruption of several months to river navigation, with the risk of significant repercussions on the Luxembourg economy and on oil reserves.
Ua boat hit the Müden lock gate (Rhineland-Palatinate) even though it was not yet completely open. The repair is likely to last at least until the end of March 2025, making it impossible to transport goods via the Moselle, both towards the Rhine and towards Luxembourg, Saarland and France.
What will happen to the 70 stranded boats? What alternatives exist for unloading the cargo and transporting it safely to its port? What is the impact on the port of Mertert, but also on the Luxembourg logistics and industry sectors? Could this cause additional costs? And is there a threat to the Grand Duchy's oil reserves?
The Minister of Mobility, Yuriko Backes, and the Minister of the Economy, Lex Delles, provided some answers to this host of questions. “The situation concerns us all. She is unhappy and regretful. We have contacted all relevant stakeholders and are looking for solutions. The objective is to reduce the impact of this interruption of river traffic as much as possible,” informs Yuriko Backes.
A temporary lock
The port of Mertert has the advantage of being trimodal. In other words, it accommodates, beyond barges, also trains and trucks. However, a negative impact will be inevitable, deplores Lex Delles. The main goods arriving in Luxembourg are scrap metal, intended for the steel industry, construction materials, oil and to a lesser extent cereals.
“Trains and trucks will be able to partly replace river transport. This will have an impact on road traffic towards Luxembourg,” says the Minister of the Economy. According to Yuriko Backes, it is not possible to divert river traffic via the Meuse.
Concerns about oil reserves are less significant. “Only 20% of deliveries arrive via the Moselle. Our tanks are full. There will therefore be no dramatic impact on our strategic reserve,” adds Lex Delles.
A temporary lock should now allow the 70 stranded boats to be evacuated. “It will take a long time. It will take a month to carry out this mission,” says the Liberal minister. The Luxembourg government has offered logistical support to the German authorities.
The Minister of Mobility further specifies that five boats are currently immobilized between Schengen and Wasserbillig.
