Commission Grants Community Assurance for Aid Recipient
Moselle River Shipping Disruption: Captain Faced Charges Following Lock Collision
Two months after a freighter collided with the Muden lock on the Moselle River in Germany, causing significant damage and halting shipping operations, a captain has been found responsible.
The accident occurred in early December 2024, leaving the freighter severely damaged and a backup of approximately 70 ships on the river. To prevent the sailors from being stranded on the Moselle over Christmas, all ships were laboriously bypassed. Regular shipping resumed through the repaired lock in February 2025.
For several months, the cause of the accident remained unclear. However, in April 2025, it was determined that the ship was in autopilot mode when the collision occurred. The reason why the captain did not intervene is still unknown, with no signs of alcohol or drug use detected.
The General Directorate of Waterways and Shipping in Bonn estimated the damage caused by the accident to be around 5.4 million euros. The captain of the cargo ship, aged 27, was charged with negligently endangering shipping traffic. The Public Prosecutor's Office in Koblenz and the local court in St. Goar confirmed a report by Rhein-Zeitung. The exact amount of the fine was not disclosed by the court, but a penalty order was issued.
Despite the lack of information about the identity of the specific 27-year-old captain, the news suggests that a cargo ship captain received a significant penalty following the disastrous collision on the Moselle River. The captain was accused of violating duties of care, leading to the charge of negligent endangerment of shipping traffic under Section 315a of the Criminal Code.
- The negligent endangerment of shipping traffic, resulting from a collision on the Moselle River, has led to a significant fine for a captain in the automotive industry.
- In the aftermath of the Moselle River incident, the finance sector has had to grapple with the 5.4 million euros in damages caused to the transportation industry.
- The collision on the Moselle River, which disrupted industry and shipping operations, has highlighted the importance of adherence to guidelines in the automotive and finance sectors.
