After four weeks of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, causing the halting of most maritime traffic through Baltimore’s port, the first cargo ship finally passed through a newly opened deep-water channel on Thursday. The Balsa 94, a bulk carrier sailing under a Panama flag, made its way through the channel headed for Canada, followed by two more commercial ships later in the day. The cleanup and recovery effort has been ongoing, with crews working tirelessly to clear the mangled steel and concrete from the harbor entrance. This development is a crucial step in reopening the port and restoring normal traffic, alleviating the economic impact on thousands of workers affected by the closure.
The closure of the port has had a significant impact on longshoremen, truckers, and small business owners, prompting local and state officials to prioritize the restoration of traffic to normal capacity. Assistance programs have been established for unemployed workers and others impacted by the collapse. The reopening of the port is seen as essential in easing the economic ripple effects of the bridge collapse, which disrupted a major east coast trucking route. The passage of vessels through the new channel signifies a positive step forward in the recovery process.
The Balsa 94 successfully navigated through the new channel, guided by tug boats, bypassing the fallen bridge and grounded Dali, the container ship responsible for the collapse. Although pieces of the steel span still block parts of the main channel, efforts are underway to clear the debris and reopen the port’s main channel for regular traffic flow. The Balsa 94 is expected to arrive in Canada on Monday, marking the end of its long-awaited voyage after being stuck in Baltimore for weeks following the bridge collapse.
A memorial for the victims of the collapse has been established near the bridge, with large wooden crosses decorated with flags from the victims’ home countries. The tragedy resulted in the deaths of six roadwork crew members, and efforts are ongoing to recover the bodies of the missing workers. The new channel will remain open temporarily for cleanup until May 10, when it is scheduled to close again. The reopening of the main channel is expected next month after the Dali has been removed from the collapse site, allowing for a normal flow of traffic through the port.
Officials have expressed hope that the cleanup effort is slightly ahead of schedule, as they had aimed to open a channel of the current depth by the end of April. The presence of commercial ships passing through the new channel is a positive sign of progress, although crews continue to work on clearing debris from the collapse site. Investigations by the FBI and the National Transportation Safety Board are ongoing to determine the cause of the ship losing power and striking the bridge. The resolution of this issue will play a significant role in determining liability and potential economic repercussions for the region.
In response to a court filing, Baltimore’s mayor and city council have called for the Dali’s owner and manager to be held fully liable for the bridge collapse, emphasizing the importance of the port as an economic driver for the area. The filing was in response to a petition to cap liability, and a federal court in Maryland will ultimately decide on the responsibility and compensation in this case. Despite the challenges faced during the cleanup and recovery process, the passage of commercial ships through the new channel signals a step towards normalcy for Baltimore’s port and its workers, as efforts continue to restore the city’s maritime operations to full capacity.
