FDX - Baltimore Bridge Collapse May Cost Billions Dramatically Disrupt Supply Chains | Benzinga
The Singapore-flagged MV Dali container ship collided with the bridge around 1:35 a.m. on Tuesday. At least six people remain unaccounted for, CNN reports. With rescue and recovery operations ongoing, it's unclear how long debris from the bridge will block the Patapsco River, which leads to the Port of Baltimore.
For the shipping community, the accident will affect maritime lanes as carriers must seek alternative ports of call while the collapsed bridge continues to block the river, experts said.
"Are any container vessels currently trapped in the bay? That is question No. 1" Sanne Manders, president of international at Flexport, told FreightWaves. "Right now, there are two vessels trapped: the ship that caused the collision and another general cargo container vessel that is currently trapped."
The Port of Baltimore is the deepest harbor in Maryland's Chesapeake Bay, with five public and 12 private terminals. The port administration did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Port officials posted on social media that they do not know how long ship traffic in and out of the port will be suspended, although trucks are still being processed.
The Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed early Tuesday morning after being struck by the MV Dali container ship.
Manders said another important consideration is the scores of commercial vessels that regularly call at the Port of Baltimore.
"In the next few weeks, 107 vessels will not ...