U.S. Army Corps Announce Port of Baltimore Might Open by May End

According to the U.S Army Corps of Engineers, the Baltimore Port might reopen for operations by May end. This will happen after a channel with limited access is cleared to allow some cargo traffic.

The country’s biggest maritime waterway for trucks, farm equipment and cars was closed after a container ship named MV Dali struck and destroyed the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, 2024. Six workers lost their lives in the accident, which also caused tremendous financial losses.

Shipping was impacted as some vessels were trapped at the berths while others had to be diverted to nearby ports. Advisers of the White House had to call and persuade prominent employers like Amazon to convince them to retain jobs.

The Army Corps mentioned that opening a 280-foot wide and 35-foot deep passage will take around four weeks, and restoring the channel, which measures 700 ft in width and 50 ft in depth, can be done only until the end of May.

Lieutenant General Scott Spellmon, commanding general of the Army Corps, mentioned that these were quite ambitious timelines, which might be affected if the weather is not favourable during the work since it might be difficult to clear the debris then.

Given the port’s importance for the nation, he said the teams were working swiftly to clear the channel so the Port of Baltimore could return to normal operations.

Federal officials will release the findings of the Baltimore Bridge collapse incident investigation within a few days. Tainted shipping fuel, which has resulted in engine failure, is one of the factors being analysed.

References: Axios, Economic Times

U.S. Army Corps Announce Port of Baltimore Might Open by May End appeared first on Marine Insight – The Maritime Industry Guide

Source: Maritime Shipping News