FRANCIS SCOTT KEY BRIDGE COLLAPSE
Since the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge on March 26, 2024, the Port of Baltimore has been closed to ocean vessels. Salvage teams continue to work around the clock to clear the channel of obstructions. In a statement released on Wednesday, the Unified Command announced, “salvage crews successfully removed the final large steel truss segment blocking the 700-foot-wide Fort McHenry Federal Channel on June 3-4.”
CURRENT SHIPPING CONDITIONS AND GUIDELINES
Just over half of the 700-foot-wide shipping lane has been cleared by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), allowing room for one-way traffic through the channel. Ships passing through the 50-foot-deep canal require a minimum of three feet of keel clearance. The USCG is placing wind limits for large ships and requiring two tug boats to escort deep draft vessels into and out of the port.
RESUMPTION OF SEAGIRT MARINE TERMINAL OPERATIONS
After removing the Dali ocean vessel and the structural bridge components from the main shipping channel, the Seagirt Marine Terminal at the Port of Baltimore is ready to resume operations. The terminal is virtually free of empty or lingering export containers that could cause delays in import procedures as the terminal prepares for larger volumes.
IMPACT ON CONTAINER VOLUMES AND TRUCK TRANSACTIONS
Container volumes will likely spike during June and July before returning to typical volumes in August. Before the bridge collapse, the terminal saw roughly 2,000 truck transactions per day. During the past week, that number has been 500-600.
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