In Lower Saxony, Germany, two separate ship collisions have severely disrupted rail access to crucial ports west of the Weser River.

The first incident occurred in February when the cargo ship Rapida collided with the Elsfleth railway bridge, causing irreparable damage.

A temporary bridge was quickly constructed, but in July, the tanker Naima misjudged the tide levels and struck the bridge again, halting train services between Nordenham and Hude.

This disruption has significant economic implications, affecting grain exports from Ukraine and military logistics for the US.

Efforts are underway to enhance safety measures, including a new bridge design with increased clearance, expected by 2028. Meanwhile, temporary solutions are in place to mitigate the impact on transportation and commerce.