Shipwreck in Elsfleth - Damaged Hunting Bridge: Calculate with slow repair
After the collision between a inland waterway ship and the railway bridge in Elsfeth in the Wesermarsch district, Niedersachsen's Economy Minister Olaf Lies expects a quick repair of the bridge. "According to the results of today's conference, I am optimistic that we will have repaired the damage within six weeks," said the SPD politician after talks with representatives of the economy, affected municipalities, ports, German Railways, and the Niedersachsen State Roads and Transport Authority. However, "Exactly when the first train will cross the Hunte again cannot be precisely determined at this point."
The bridge has great significance for the region, providing access to the ports on the left bank of the Weser for rail freight transport and for shipping. Damages occurred to parts of the bridge in Tuesday's accident and they must now be replaced. The repair will be carried out using a floating crane.
Minister confident
"A prompt repair of the infrastructure is essential to keep the negative effects on the ports of Brake and Nordenham to a minimum," said the Minister for Economy and Transport. "We have shown in recent times that we can react quickly and reliably to such damage situations. With the excellent cooperation of the German Railways, we will also manage to get the rail traffic over the Hunte back on track again."
According to Bahn reports, measures have been initiated for a quick repair. "Our expert team is working around the clock," said the DB representative for Niedersachsen and Bremen, Ute Plambeck. "We are aware of the great significance of the line for the region and rail freight transport."
Railway line closed, Ships sail again
Rail passengers currently have to switch to other means of transport on the line. The Nordwestbahn has initially set up a replacement bus service between Berne and Brake (Under Weser) until the coming Sunday. The company notes: "An end to the disruption is not yet foreseeable." Passengers are asked to pay attention to the changed travel times.
After the Hunte in Elsfeth was initially closed for shipping traffic due to the accident, inland waterway ships can now sail there again. However, the passage under the bridge is only possible one-lane at a time for one ship. The Traffic Control Center Bremen manages the traffic, as a spokesperson for the Water Police Inspection Oldenburg said. The ship captains must continue to pay close attention to the water levels and wait if necessary until the route under the bridge is free. With the opening of the route, the accessibility of the Oldenburg Harbor with inland waterway ships is again guaranteed, said the head of the Waterways and Shipping Administration Weser-Jade-North Sea, Torsten Stengel.
Significant damage to the bridge
The inland waterway ship collided with the railway bridge on Tuesday. The bridge house of the tanker ship was almost completely torn off, the bridge and the overhead power line were damaged. The ship captain and one other crew member were slightly injured and taken to the hospital.
According to initial investigations, the ship captain misjudged the clearance height, and an investigation is now being conducted against him for endangering railway and shipping traffic. The Water Police reported that the water levels at the Hunte are visible and are also transmitted via radio.
Second accident in a few months
Mayor Michael Kurz (SPD) of the city of Brake hopes for a quick repair so that the left Weser harbors can resume operations. "Millions of tons of cargo are transported to and from the harbors," Kurz told NDR. The state-owned harbor infrastructure company Niedersachsen Ports (NPorts) is facing revenue losses in the millions and sees jobs in Brake at risk.
Due to a shipping accident in February, the port of Brake suffered damages amounting to approximately one million Euros, according to NPorts. A barge collided with the bridge and caused significant damage, necessitating the construction of a provisional bridge. It was also reported that the ship's captain had incorrectly assessed the clearance height, and an indictment against him is expected.
The now also faulty temporary bridge has been in operation since the end of April. After weeks of standstill, regular ferry traffic between Berne and Elsfleth resumed at the end of April, making the harbors in Nordenham and Brake accessible by rail again.
- The collision occurred near the Hunte Bridge in Elsfleth, a town located in the Wesermarsch district of Lower Saxony.
- The shipwreck involved an inland waterway ship and the Hunte Railway Bridge, causing significant damages.
- The SPD politician Olaf Lies, Niedersachsen's Economy Minister, expressed confidence in a quick repair of the damaged bridge.
- The bridge is crucial for shipping and rail freight transport, providing access to the ports on the left bank of the Weser.
- The repair will be carried out using a floating crane, ensuring the bridge is back to normal as soon as possible.
- Ute Plambeck, the DB representative for Niedersachsen and Bremen, mentioned the significance of the line for the region and rail freight transport.
- The railway line between Berne and Brake is temporarily closed while repairs are completed.
- Nordwestbahn has provided a replacement bus service between Berne and Brake until the rail traffic is restored.
- The inland waterway ships can now sail in Elsfleth, but they must navigate one-lane at a time to avoid collisions.
- Mayor Michael Kurz of Brake hopes for a swift repair to minimize revenue losses and potential job losses at the harbors.
