The port in Mertert reopened on Tuesday afternoon following a successful cleanup operation after an oil contamination was discovered on Sunday.
Shortly before 7pm on Sunday, a significant contamination of the Moselle River was reported near the port. In response, authorities installed an oil barricade at the port entrance to prevent the substance from spreading further, a measure that temporarily closed the port to traffic.
On Tuesday morning, officials reassessed the situation. As a thin layer of the substance remained on the water’s surface, absorbent cloths were redeployed to soak up the remaining oil-containing material. Following this operation, the port was able to resume normal activities.
According to the port directorate, one of the two ships that had been blocked during the closure has already departed. Additional vessels are expected to arrive in Mertert on Tuesday.
The cause of the contamination remains unclear. The Water Management Authority is currently conducting analyses to determine the source of the incident.
