Baltimore Port Opens Temporary Channel After Bridge Collapse To Free Trapped Vessels

Baltimore Bridge — Screengrab from YouTube video posted by Defense Now

Recovery works continue at the Port of Baltimore following last Tuesday’s disastrous bridge collapse, obstructing the crucial shipping lane.

Six people tragically lost their lives in the collapse, which was caused by a cargo ship losing power and hitting a Francis Scott Key Bridge support column.

The port, known for being the biggest in the country for importing and exporting “roll-on, roll-off” vehicles and farm and construction equipment, has been struggling to deal with the consequences of this disaster.

A significant advancement was made on April 1, 2024, when authorities declared that a temporary channel was opened on the northern side of the fallen bridge.

Governor Wes Moore claims that this development provides limited tug and barge traffic, a ray of hope in the arduous recovery effort. With its regulating depth of 11 feet (3.35 meters), the recently opened canal freed some commercial vessels entangled in the harbour.

Despite this effort, returning to normal shipping operations remains difficult.

The U.S. Coast Guard’s Rear Admiral Shannon Gilreath highlighted the difficulty of cleaning the debris obstructing the channel, revealing the situation’s complexity.

Video Credits: Defense Now/YouTube

With its 4,000 containers and 21-person crew, the cargo ship Dali, trapped in the wreckage of the steel bridge, reminds us of the difficulties ahead.

Despite the gradual progress made with the opening of the temporary channel, the timescale for fully restoring port operations remains to be discovered. Gilreath pointed out the task’s difficulty and declined to give an estimate.

A second temporary canal on the southbound side, with a deeper depth of 15 to 16 feet (4.6 to 4.9 meters), is scheduled to open in the coming days.

In addition, there are currently discussions about creating a third channel that would allow nearly all tug and barge traffic to pass. This channel would be between 20 and 25 feet (6.1 and 7.6 meters) deep.

The crisis has sparked interest at the highest levels of government, with U.S. President Joe Biden set to visit Baltimore on Friday. His visit emphasises the federal government’s commitment to assisting in recovery operations.

Karine Jean-Pierre, a spokesperson for the White House, reaffirmed the administration’s support for the people of Baltimore. He emphasised continued cooperation with local authorities to resolve the situation.

In addition, steps are being taken to guarantee federal funds for the bridge’s rehabilitation, indicating a thorough strategy to lessen the effects of this unfortunate event.

Reference: Reuters

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