The Flemish Waterways Agency says shipping will remain suspended until Friday on the Upper River Scheldt. Shipping has been suspended since Saturday after an 80-metre-long barge sank at Zevergem, near Merelbeke (East Flanders). On Monday the Flemish Waterways Agency said that the salvage operation to remove to barge is progressing more slowly than expected. Floating pontoons are having to be brought in from Antwerp.
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Barge sinks at Zevergem: shipping on the River Scheldt suspended until Friday
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The barge was carrying 1,200 tonnes of gravel. It broke in two on Saturday afternoon. The bow of the vessel is under water but the stern, which includes the wheelhouse, is above water.
Once the cargo has been removed, the ship will have to be refloated using floating pontoons. These are being brought in from Antwerp. It is predicted that the barge will be able to be refloated on Friday.