The 109 meter long self-propelled tanker-barge Soprano allided on the Rhine River with a bridge at Bensdorf, Germany.   The Soprano was proceeding downstream when it suffered a rudder failure and struck the highway bridge resulting in a slight tear in the hull of the vessel.   The water police and local firefighters were called to the scene.  No reports of injuries.   The Soprano was in ballast only and no reports of pollution being released.