The Port of Baltimore is currently working towards handling containers within the next four weeks after shutting down because of the Key Bridge collapse. Starting in a limited capacity to containers as well as other freight (such as ro/ro) the port is targeting a full reopening by the end of May.
USACE QUICK RESPONSE AND TIMELINE FOR CLEANUP
The US Army Corp of Engineers (USACE) will first open a 35-foot-deep channel by the end of April. This channel can support some ro/ro vessels calling on the Baltimore port. As a result of the collapse, all ro/ro vessels were diverted to the Tradepoint Atlantic logistics facility outside of the port’s inner harbor. The 35-foot channel will also enable container on-barge service between the Port of Virginia and Baltimore’s Seagirt Marine terminal to resume. The transit time from port to port is two days for the 900 TEU capacity barges.
The USACE should have the wreckage cleared from the water by the end of May. Re-opening the 50-foot-deep channel will restore the port to normal capacity.
DIVERTED SHIPMENTS MINIMAL IMPACT ON EAST COAST PORTS
US East coast ports have been processing diverted Baltimore-bound cargo with minimal operational impacts.
Diverted shipments – shipments which have been redirected from the originally planned transportation route or destination. Can result from operational constraints, customer requirements, or unforeseen events.
DIVERSION SURCHARGES POPPING UP
Due to the number of vessels diverted from Baltimore, some ocean carriers have begun issuing a “diversion surcharge” to re-route shipments.
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